NYC thrash legends Anthrax return to the UK next spring for their first headline tour in over a decade. They were last here in a double header with Slayer but this time round the band will perform their 1987 classic Among The Living in its entirety.

Far from being a nostalgia act, the veteran band are riding high following the success of their eleventh album For All Kings which was released earlier this year. In February Musos’ Guide said “Anthrax have managed to recapture the spirit of their earlier work...For All Kings sits comfortably with their very best work.”

Guitarist and songwriter Scott Ian promises a killer show, “Finally! We've been looking forward to headlining in the U.K. for so long!!! We have a killer set planned, new stuff, old faves, deep tracks and Among front to back. You'd better start getting in shape now for the epic wardance!”

This tour will mark 30 years of the iconic album, with support from up-and-coming British metallers The Raven Age.

Tickets go on sale this Friday 18th November at 10am from here

Dates as follows:

Thursday 9th February - Birmingham O2 Institute

Friday 10th February - London O2 Forum Kentish Town

Saturday 11th February - Bristol O2 Academy

Monday 13th February - Nottingham Rock City

Tuesday 14th February - Manchester Academy

Wednesday 15th February - Glasgow Barrowlands

Thursday 16th February - Newcastle Northumbria University

Friday 17th February - Norwich UEA 

I’m sort of a fan of Cradle Of Filth. I follow them online. I have several of their albums. I’ve been to see them live. I've bought their merchandise. I love their look, their designs, their hypnotic stage show, and their immensely likable frontman Dani Filth. I just don’t really like the music. It's their weakest point. So, the announcement that Filth was working on a solo album stirred some excitement within.

Devilment turned out not to be a solo project but another band. Filth was headhunted by founder Daniel J. Finch to front the group. The resulting album featured a version of Midnight Oil's hit ‘Beds Are Burning’ with Jackass's Bam Margera on vocals. The Great And Secret Show was universally praised and tours with Lacuna Coil and Motionless In White followed.

Expectations have been raised for the follow up and Devilment have not disappointed. Filth sounds better than he ever has. The high pitched hellish screams are still present but they are augmentation, and the lyrics throughout II - The Mephisto Waltzes are surprisingly intelligible. The instrumentation is that of a black metal band but the songs are more Rob Zombie than Immortal.

Opening track ‘Judas Stein’ has a brief black metal interval and an outro reminiscent of Slayer’s ‘Raining Blood’. Lead single ‘Hitchcock Blonde’ is as close to pop rock as black metal gets, playfully namechecking the great director’s leading ladies, with shades of Lordi’s Eurovision winner ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’ in the chorus. ‘Under The Thunder’ starts off with an industrial riff before the organs and blastbeats kick in.

Filth exercises all aspects of his voice from heavy throaty rock through death growls to his peerless screams. Lauren Francis’ clean singing acts as the perfect foil to Filth's vocals. She adds new dimensions and dynamics to the ensemble. With Francis’ contribution and the hard rock songwriting combining with the extreme aspects, Devilment create their own space and sound. Francis takes the lead on ‘Full Dark, No Stars’ doomy verse before Filth emerges again for the thrashy middle eight. The pair work together with ease.

‘Shine On Sophie Moone’ moshes with the ferocity of peak Sepultura and the rhythm section work with the heft and distinction of Igor Cavalera and Paulo Jr. The heaviest song so far on the album then surprises with a melodic breakdown section; Filth reciting poetic verse and Francis crooning over atmospheric backing.

I would hesitate to use the term “easy listening” but the beguiling ambience and seamless melding of disparate metal subgenres make Devilment an accessible entry point for those who normally shy away the darker enclaves of metal. II - The Mephisto Waltzes is mood music for black metal connoisseurs; the singalong pub band of extreme music.

Devilment will be touring the UK in December:

Dec 6th - Colchester, Arts Centre

Dec 7th - Nottingham, Rock City Basement

Dec 9th - Stoke, Sugarmill

Dec 10th - London, Boston Music Room

Dec 11th - Norwich, Waterfront

Dec 13th - Glasgow, Stereo

Dec 14th - Newcastle, Think Tank

Dec 15th - Wolverhampton, Slade Rooms

Dec 16th - Leeds, Key Club

Dec 18th - Reading, Sub 89

Dec 19th - Southampton, Engine Rooms