Songs of My Life #45 - Anthrax - Only - 1993

Songs of My Life #45 - Anthrax - Only.

When it was announced that Joey Belladonna was leaving Anthrax, I admit I was concerned about what the future of the band held. John Bush was brought in on lead vocals, whose work with Armored Saint at that time I hadn't heard. However, how was he going to fit into Joey's shoes, and could the band continue the heights they had with their previous albums.

My word yes they could.

This was the lead single from the album Sound of White Noise, and when this came out I was blown away. John didn't have the high pitched notes that Joey did, but he brought a different kind of heavy to the mix, and the songs as written were just perfect for him.
"Only" has it all. The great rhythmic drumming from Charlie Benante, that sensational bass line from Frankie Bello, the awesome riffing from Dan Spitz and Scott Ian, and the introduction of Bush as vocalist.

Yes this was a change in style from the band, no doubt partly to do with the grunge element that was seeping into metal at that point in history and also to accommodate the difference in style of Bush's vocals, but I still love this album, and I love this song.