The Classic Metal Album Reviews:
Title: Sound of White Noise
Artist: Anthrax
Label: Elektra Records
Release Date: 1993

Rating: 3 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Solomon (5/15/02):
    White noise? Not exactly. This does not represent the band's plunge into weird, avant-garde experimental music, but rather a more commercial, meatier take on the 80's thrash template. In fact, Sound of White Noise doesn't sound very "Bay Area" at all. Some of the speed is still there, but the beefed-up, rock-oriented tunes and the rougher vocals of John Bush (ex-Armored Saint) signaled a new chapter in the career of Anthrax. Bush is a great rock vocalist, and his style compliments the new direction the band took with this record, but you can't help but miss Joey Belladonna's unique wail. Sound of White Noise isn't an altogether bad album, but it didn't bring me closer to the band, either. On the one hand, you can appreciate the band's heavier sound. Darker ballads like "Black Lodge" and muscle-bound tunes like "Room For One More" and, my favorite, "This Is Not An Exit" have their appeal, but I'd still rather hear "Indians" or "In My World."

    I'm not one of those people who lash out at their heroes for "selling out." My review of Metallica's Black Album was certainly positive, even if it's not my favorite album from them. I believe Anthrax did okay in going in a heavier, slicker direction, as well, but the tunes on White Noise don't appeal to me like the band's older material does. As far as early 90's stuff goes, I'd rather have Dirt or Vulgar Display of Power in my deck.
    3 out of 5

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