Old men playing old music for old people - A review of Anthem's Nucleus

Anthem is the second greatest Japanese heavy metal band right after the legendary Loudness that I would consider being pioneers on the same level as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Saxon. The band's run of seven records from the mid-eighties to the early nineties was quite impressive and the band even got some minor international recognition. The quartet split up for eight years in the nineties, reunited with the beginning of the new millennium and has lived up to expectations in its home country. However, the international market had forgotten about the band and the release of Nucleus is the band's attempt at conquering fans around the world. Saber Tiger have attempted a similar move with a greatest hits release four years ago that has been completely overlooked and even though Anthem cooperates with renowned label Nuclear Blast for this release, it would be a surprise if Nucleus really turned out to be a success story.

Nucleus consists of twelve tracks from the band's most recent albums since the reunion that were recorded again for this occasion and a new version of classic speed metal anthem ''Venom Strike'' which is the only song from the quartet's early years. As much as I appreciate Anthem's early records and wish the band well, Nucleus is an overall unimpressive record. The song material isn't bad but simply stated heavy metal by the numbers that fails to leave a mark. The charismatic high-pitched vocals of yore have withered with age and been replaced by a lower register with some irritating effects on it. The bass guitar play that was particularly domineering and energetic in the early years is rather restrained and unimpressive on this release. The guitar play has become a little bit slower even though it is still technically appealing. The pace of the drums has also slightly diminished. The band members are obviously in their late fifties and early sixties and it's unfair to reproach them to have slowed down. But this album sounds like an old-fashioned release offered by old musicians who haven't changed their ways over the past three decades. This album comes at least a quarter of a century too late to impress anyone but faithful fans of the band and enthusiasts of traditional heavy metal music of the eighties.

There are more positive examples for genre veterans who still play heavy metal but also manage to sound refreshing, inspired and energetic to remain relevant. Saber Tiger's greatest hits release featured minor progressive and doom metal elements that showed the band's nuanced soundscapes. Loudness' latest effort that also attempts to gain international success is filled with a balanced mixture of youthful energy and cool vibes. Even a Western band like Judas Priest has just released its greatest record in several decades thanks to a crisp sound, concise songwriting and a few fresh ideas. Anthem's Nucleus doesn't have any of these elements.

In the end, the additional live record on this record's special edition might be Nucleus' most intriguing aspect but then again, this live record doesn't beat the phenomenal Last Anthem that showed the band leaving on a very high note in the early nineties. Anthem's Nucleus offers solid but ultimately unspectacular traditional heavy metal that will only appeal to fans of old age. It just won't happen that a teenager or young adult will listen to this album and be blown away by it. I would rather recommend the outstanding boxed set 30th Anniversary of Nexus Years Limited Collector's Box that includes the group's very good to excellent first seven records, an extraordinary live record and some bonus material.

Final rating: 65%