Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineMarch 29, 2026gallery, live, melbourne, Odin Imaging, Nathan Goldsworthy, odin imaging, Destroy All Lines, Gwar, Dregg, Max Watts

Anthrax + Alien Weponary @ Festival Hall 26-03-26

Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineMarch 29, 2026gallery, live, melbourne, Odin Imaging, Nathan Goldsworthy, odin imaging, Destroy All Lines, Gwar, Dregg, Max Watts

photos: Nathan Goldsworthy @odin.imaging

Thrash icons Anthrax delivered a high-voltage masterclass in riff-driven chaos at Festy Hall, tearing through a relentless set that proved the Big Four veterans are still operating at full throttle decades into their career. Joined by Aotearoa groove-metal powerhouse Alien Weaponry, the night balanced old-school thrash precision with modern heaviness, resulting in a bill that felt both nostalgic and fiercely current.

Alien Weaponry opened with undeniable presence, their blend of pounding rhythm and te reo Māori lyricism hitting with both cultural weight and crushing groove. Tracks like “Kai Tangata” landed hard, setting the tone early and proving the trio’s growing reputation is well deserved. Their tight delivery and commanding stage chemistry quickly drew the crowd forward, with early circle pits signalling the energy levels weren’t going to drop anytime soon.

By the time Anthrax took the stage, Festival Hall was primed for impact. Launching into staples “A.I.R.” and “Madhouse”, the band wasted no time igniting the room, with Scott Ian’s razor-wire riffing locking in perfectly with Joey Belladonna’s unmistakable vocal attack. The setlist read like a thrash greatest hits collection, including pit-starters “Caught in a Mosh”, “Metal Thrashing Mad” and “Indians”, while tracks like “Breathing Lightning” and “Fight ’Em ’Til You Can’t” reinforced the band’s ability to blend legacy with later-era material seamlessly.

An encore run of “I’m the Man”, “I Am the Law” and “Antisocial” pushed the crowd into full voice, the latter delivering one of the night’s biggest singalongs as bodies surged toward the barricade. Across roughly 80 minutes, Anthrax demonstrated why they remain one of the most reliable live acts in heavy music, combining technical precision with an undeniable sense of fun that translated effortlessly to the Melbourne faithful.

With a catalogue spanning more than four decades and a reputation built on high-energy performances, the 2026 Australian run reaffirmed Anthrax’s place among thrash metal’s most enduring live forces. From old-school diehards to newer fans discovering the genre’s roots, Festival Hall became a sweat-soaked celebration of riffs, speed, and community — exactly the way a thrash show should be.