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The late 80s Thrash Metal scene came back to life in Worcester, MA at The Palladium theater with the arrival of the Anthrax/Testament/Death Angel show. Several factors played into my attending this show not the least of which being the ticket price (only $26 for three well known and one-time major label recording artists is a steal.) I also really like the new Anthrax album, Worship Music, and, despite attending hundreds of shows since first seeing Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue and Waysted in February 1984, I've never seen Testament live. Consider that error corrected.

"Special Guests" Death Angel hit the stage early, around 7:45 and launched into a blistering 45 minute set that was likely heavy on their new album, Relentless Revolution. I have not heard that album or really anything since 1990's Act III, so I can't be sure of the set list. Act III's "Seemingly Endless Time" was the clear highlight of the set but I did pick up Relentless Revolution from the merch table based on the band's set and despite Mark Oseguega's vocals which sounded rough and like he could use a night off to rest. The rest of the band was spot on and Osegueda still managed to hit all the high notes.

Next up, the previously unseen by yours truly, Testament. While they appear to be getting equal billing with Anthrax, it is clear they are truly supporting the New York legends. That didn't stop them from making the most of their 60 minutes. Again, a new album that I have not heard (but also picked up at the show), The Formation of Damnation, was heavily featured. Classics like "Into the Pit" and "Disciples of the Watch" got the pit circling and the crowd singing along. Chuck Billy is an immense presence on the stage but The Palladium's below average sound system rendered him somewhat unintelligible. The lack of spotlights on guitarist Alex Skolnick and Eric Peterson when they were playing their solos was also disappointing. The playing, especially Skolnick's, was outstanding. Billy, like Osegueda earlier, did a great job interacting with the crowd and both pronounced the name of the city correctly (it is "woo-ster," not "wor-chest-er.") A small point but the crowd appreciated the effort.

Anthrax came on shortly after 10 pm and proceeded to bring the house down. They opened with a couple of tracks from Worship Music, "Earth on Hell" and "Fight ‘Em ‘Til You Can't." Heavy, crushing riffs, courtesy of Scott Ian and new guitarist Rob Caggiano, Frank Bello's manic bass, Charlie Benante's rock-solid drumming and the ageless vocals of Joey Belladonna combined in a maelstrom of Thrash. Classics like "Caught in a Mosh" and "N.F.L." meshed well with new songs like "In the End." Scott Ian exhorted the crowd during "Indians," actually stopping the song midway to encourage the people in the balcony (alright, US people in the balcony) who weren't moving enough; "Come on Massachusetts! This is the fucking war dance! It doesn't matter if you're a man, woman or child – MOVE!" Needless to say, we obeyed. The entire band was energized from start to finish, and the crowd happily sang along to "Antisocial" and the Joe Jackson cover, "Got the Time." The band even went back to the debut album Fistful of Metal for "Metal Thrashing Mad" during the encore. A great set by a great band.

Death Angel and Testament were very good and Anthrax completely killed.