Anthrax Pay Tribute to Rush With ‘Anthem’ – Song Premiere

Anthrax. Photo: EMI Music

Perennial thrashers Anthrax are prepping the release of a new EP, Anthems, that will hit shelves on March 19th on Megaforce. It finds the group covering songs by some of their favorite artists, including Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak” and Boston’s “Smokin.’”

Now you can take a listen to their thundering cover of Rush’s “Anthem” done with a fresh, metal twist. “When I was first learning to play drums, I would strap on my headphones, play along with [Rush’s live album All the World’s a Stage] and be transformed,” Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante tells ROLLING STONE. “I remember talking with Cliff [Burton] and Kirk [Hammett of Metallica] back when we first met, and we all agreed how much of an influence Rush was on all of us. I don’t [know] if you would hear anything that sounds like Rush in Anthrax’s music, but the passion, the drive, the musicianship and the appreciation is all there.”

Click to listen to Anthrax’s “Anthem”

Check out the ROLLING STONE India interview with Anthrax in our February 2013 issue