For All Kings

In January 2013, guitarist Rob Caggiano left Anthrax and was replaced by Jon Donais of Shadows Fall. Talk of a follow-up to Worship Music surfaced later that year, with bassist Frank Bello stating that the band was "getting the itch to write new music".{{cite web|title=Anthrax: 'We're Getting the Itch to Write New Music'|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/anthrax_were_getting_the_itch_to_write_new_music.html|publisher=Ultimate Guitar Archive|date=April 4, 2013|access-date=February 20, 2016}} In September that year, guitarist Scott Ian confirmed that Bello and drummer Charlie Benante were "coming over to start writing for the next record" and subsequently posted images on Twitter of the band working on new material.{{cite web|title=Anthrax Start Writing New Record|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/anthrax_start_writing_new_record.html|publisher=Ultimate Guitar Archive|date=September 17, 2013|access-date=February 20, 2016}} By the end of October, the band had arranged seven new songs, with Ian describing the direction of the new music as "aggressive, fast, even riff-ier than the last record".{{cite web|title=Anthrax Announce Seven New Songs: 'It's Aggressive, Fast, Even Riffier Than the Last Record'|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/anthrax_announce_seven_new_songs_its_aggressive_fast_even_riffier_than_the_last_record.html|publisher=Ultimate Guitar Archive|date=October 31, 2013|access-date=February 20, 2016}} By February 2014, the band had a total of 12 songs written, though were continuing to write so that they would have more material to choose from for inclusion on the final album.{{cite web|title=Anthrax Album Update: Band 'In Middle of Writing,' 12 Songs Written|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/anthrax_album_update_band_in_middle_of_writing_12_songs_written.html|publisher=Ultimate Guitar Archive|date=February 5, 2014|access-date=February 20, 2016}}

Recording began in late 2014 with producer Jay Ruston in a studio in Los Angeles. Some 15–20 more songs were written during the sessions, what the band considered its most productive period.{{cite web|last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|title=Interview: Anthrax Give Update from the Studio|url=http://www.revolvermag.com/news/interview-anthrax-give-update-from-the-studio.html|website=Revolver|date=February 6, 2015|access-date=November 24, 2015}} "Soror Irrumator", a song scheduled to appear on For All Kings, was featured on the second volume of the Catch the Throne mixtape.{{cite web|title=Anthrax: New Song 'Soror Irrumator' Available For Streaming|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/anthrax-new-song-soror-irrumator-available-for-streaming/|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=March 21, 2015|access-date=November 23, 2015}} A lyric video for the song "Evil Twin" was released in October 2015, and several days later, the album title was announced.{{cite web|title=Anthrax's New Album Title Revealed: 'For All Kings'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/new-anthrax-album-title-rumor-for-all-kings/|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=October 31, 2015|access-date=October 31, 2015}} The album's release date and front cover were revealed the following month.{{cite web|title=Anthrax To Release 'For All Kings' Album In February|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/anthrax-to-release-for-all-kings-album-in-february/|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=November 2, 2015|access-date=November 2, 2015}} The artwork, created by Alex Ross on a suggestion by Benante, displays massive statues of the band members.{{cite web|last=Kielty|first=Martin|title=Anthrax Show Off For All Kings Cover|url=https://www.teamrock.com/news/2015-11-18/anthrax-show-off-for-all-kings-cover|website=Team Rock|date=November 18, 2015|access-date=November 24, 2015}} The track listing was revealed on December 4.{{cite web|last1=Lach|first1=Stef|title=Scott Ian: If I can Play a Show, I'm Gonna Play|url=http://www.teamrock.com/news/2015-12-04/scott-ian-says-anthrax-and-slayer-gave-no-thought-to-cancelling-european-tour-after-paris-attacks|website=Teamrock.com|access-date=December 5, 2014|date=December 4, 2015}} Despite earlier suggestion by the band, "Soror Irrumator" did not appear on the album's track listing. The album was released on February 26, 2016.{{cite web|title=Anthrax: 'For All Kings' Track Listing, Formats Unveiled|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/anthrax-for-all-kings-track-listing-formats-unveiled/|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=December 4, 2015|access-date=December 6, 2015}}

Explaining the album title, which is also the title of the album's third track, Ian said: "The meaning, to me, for this title is that everybody can be a king. Everybody can have control over their own lives, control over their destiny, just by growing up and becoming a responsible human being. I'm not necessarily saying that being a "king" is being the boss in your relationship, or any relationship for that matter. A king of yourself is what I mean. Taking responsibility and ownership for your own shit is basically what it means to me."{{cite web|title=Anthrax's Scott Ian On 'For All Kings': 'It's The Most Metal Record We Have Made In A Long, Long Time'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/anthraxs-scott-ian-on-for-all-kings-its-the-most-metal-record-we-have-made-in-a-long-long-time/|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=December 21, 2015|access-date=January 9, 2016}} Ian, who writes the band's lyrics, said he tried to incorporate different structural ideas for the lyrics to those featured on previous albums, crediting author David Mitchell as an influence.{{cite web|title=Anthrax "Still Has Something to Say" on "For All Kings" |url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2016/2/25/anthrax-still-has-something-to-say-on-for-all-kings.html|publisher=ABC News Radio Online|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=March 8, 2016}}

Ian has said that "Breathing Lightning" is lyrically influenced by author Stephen King: "If I had to pick one thing that I love the most from him, it would be The Dark Tower books [...] The character Roland, it's just something that stays with me a lot, this character from those books. So I kind of re-entered that world again. 'Cause I wrote "Lone Justice" way back when, on the Spreading The Disease record, which was based on that character, and I decided to re-visit it, because, metaphorically, there's so many things you could use it for[...]I'm kind of weaving in and out of reality and fantasy in that song. And 'Breathing Lightning', of course, is a metaphor for shooting."{{cite web|title=ANTHRAX: Official Lyric Video For New Song 'Breathing Lightning'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/anthrax-official-lyric-video-for-new-song-breathing-lightning/|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=March 8, 2016}}

According to Benante, "Evil Twin" was inspired by events like the 2015 attack on the offices and staff of the French satirical publication Charlie Hebdo and various other mass shootings. Ian added that it was about by the actions of people "who feel they have become judge, jury and executioner over their fellow man", calling this mindset the "evil twin" of humanity.{{cite web|last1=Childers|first1=Chad|title=Anthrax Unleash Lyric Video for New Song 'Evil Twin' off Upcoming Album|url=http://loudwire.com/anthrax-lyric-video-song-evil-twin/|website=Loudwire|access-date=November 21, 2015|date=October 23, 2015}}

Ian has described "Blood Eagle Wings" as the "centerpiece" of the album, and admitted having difficulty with writing the lyrics. Lyrically, the track concerns "Any great city, whether it's London, Rome, Paris, New York City, Los Angeles – these cities are alive because of how many people were killed to make them what they are. How much blood was spilled over time."{{cite web|last1=Kielty|first1=Martin|title=Scott Ian's Nerves Over Lyrics For Anthrax Track Blood Eagle Wings|url=http://www.teamrock.com/news/2016-03-07/anthrax-scott-ian-nervous-lyrics-blood-eagle-wings|website=TeamRock|access-date=March 8, 2016|date=March 7, 2016}}

For All Kings sold 34,000 copies in its first week of release in the United States, entering at number 9 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking the first time the band has had an album enter at the chart's top 10 since Sound of White Noise which was released in 1993 and debuted at number 7. The album's sales and chart performance also show an increase over the band's previous album, Worship Music which had first week sales of 28,000 and debuted at number 12.{{cite web|title=Anthrax's 'For All Kings' Cracks U.S. Top 10|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/anthraxs-for-all-kings-cracks-u-s-top-10/|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=March 7, 2016|access-date=March 8, 2016}} Eight weeks after its release, For All Kings sold over 57,000 copies in the US.{{cite web|last=Brown|first=Matt|title=Metal By Numbers 4/27: Aces high|url=http://www.metalinsider.net/columns/metal-by-numbers/metal-by-numbers-427-aces-high|publisher=Metal Insider|date=April 27, 2016|access-date=April 29, 2016}} The album has sold about 73,000 copies in the US as of November 2016.{{cite magazine|last=Payne|first=Chris|title=Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth & Anthrax: Catching Up With Thrash Metal's Big Four In 2016|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7565467/metallica-slayer-megadeth-anthrax-thrash-metal-big-four-2016|magazine=Billboard|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=November 6, 2016}}

{{Music ratings

|MC = 70/100{{cite web|title=For All Kings by Anthrax|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/for-all-kings/anthrax/critic-reviews|publisher=Metacritic|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=February 26, 2016}}

|rev1 = AllMusic

|rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Christopher Monger|first=James|title=Anthrax: For All Kings|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/for-all-kings-mw0002904145|publisher=AllMusic|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=February 26, 2016}}

|rev2 = Classic Rock

|rev2Score = 7/10{{cite web|last=Lawson|first=Dom|title=Anthrax: For All Kings|url=http://www.teamrock.com/reviews/2016-01-22/anthrax-for-all-kings?identifier=726576696577-5698abfcb51056.32588793|work=Classic Rock|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=February 27, 2016}}

|rev3 = Consequence of Sound

|rev3Score = C{{cite web|last=Hadusek|first=Jon|title=Anthrax – For All Kings|url=https://consequence.net/2016/02/album-review-anthrax-for-all-kings/|publisher=Consequence of Sound|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=February 25, 2016}}

|rev4 = Exclaim!

|rev4Score = 7/10{{cite web|last=Pratt|first=Greg|title=Anthrax: For All Kings|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/anthrax-for_all_kings|website=Exclaim!|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=March 4, 2016}}

|rev5 = The Guardian

|rev5Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Lawson|first=Dom|title=Anthrax: For All Kings|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/25/anthrax-for-all-kings-review-thrash-masters|work=The Guardian|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=February 26, 2016}}

| rev6 = Kerrang!

| rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}Throughout, Anthrax have much to recommend them. [13 Feb 2016, p.52]

| rev7 = Metal Hammer

| rev7score = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |last1=Arnopp |first1=Jason |title=Anthrax: For All Kings |url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/anthrax-for-all-kings-1 |website=Metal Hammer |accessdate=10 March 2023 |date=2 February 2016}}

|rev8 = PopMatters

|rev8Score = 7/10{{cite web|last=Maçek III|first=J.C.|title=Anthrax – For All Kings|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/anthrax-for-all-kings/|publisher=PopMatters|date=February 22, 2016|access-date=February 23, 2016}}

|rev9 = Record Collector

|rev9Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last=McIver|first=Joel|title=Anthrax - For All Kings|url=http://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/kings|work=Record Collector|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=February 27, 2016}}

|rev10 = Sputnikmusic

|rev10Score = 3.8/5{{cite web|last=Spencer|first=Trey|title=Anthrax - For All Kings|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/69910/Anthrax-For-All-Kings/|publisher=Sputnikmusic|date=February 26, 2016|access-date=February 27, 2016}}

}}

For All Kings received generally positive reviews from critics. Praise was given for its consistency and focus, as well as the contributions of newest member, lead guitarist Jon Donais, and many critics cited the 8-minute "Blood Eagle Wings" as a standout. Dom Lawson, writing for The Guardian gave the album a 4/5 star rating, describing it as being "full of the anthemic choruses and hulking riffs that have always driven their sound". He acknowledges that it is "in some ways a more focused effort" than 2011's Worship Music, though also compliments the band's mixing of thrash metal with more radio-friendly hard rock (such as on "Breathing Lightning") adding that "It's a blend that suits the band – and vocalist Joey Belladonna in particular – to a tee." J.C. Maçek III of PopMatters was also positive, giving the album a rating of 7/10 and stating that For All Kings "stands out as powerful thrash metal with a distinctive sound that is unmistakably Anthrax." He also points out how the album displays a darker side of the band than they displayed in the 80s, remarking that "It's hard to imagine this Anthrax donning colorful surfing shorts and performing more comedic songs like "I'm the Man" but also points out that as a consequence, the album "is somewhat lacking in "fun"". Chad Bowar of Loudwire, like Lawson, observes that the album "delivers the thrash that they are known for, but also sees them explore other sonic pathways without losing touch with their core sound", and also praises vocalist Joey Belladonna for sounding "even better and completely at ease" compared to Worship Music, in which he performed songs not originally written for him. He cites tracks such as "Evil Twin", "Suzerain" and "Monster at the End" as standouts.{{cite web|last=Bowar|first=Chad|title=Anthrax, 'For All Kings' Review|url=http://loudwire.com/anthrax-for-all-kings-album-review/|website=Loudwire|access-date=February 27, 2016|date=February 26, 2016}}

However, others were more critical of the album. Jon Hadusek of Consequence of Sound cited the album, alongside other recent releases in the thrash metal genre such as Slayer's Repentless and Megadeth's Dystopia as being "a safe and agreeable slice of thrash, but it's also robotic, formulaic, and dated." He adds that "the songs on For All Kings feel like they were written in haste, by the old tried and true formula" and chided the band for "repeating themselves". He concludes that the album is "A victory lap for victory lap's sake. The definition of a fans-only release." Joel McIver of Record Collector writes that "truly warp-speed thrash beats are, disappointingly, largely absent" on the album.

All songs written by Joey Belladonna, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante and Scott Ian{{cite web|last1=ASCAP|title=ACE Repertory|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/performer/ANTHRAX|website=ASCAP|access-date=April 21, 2018}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Nuclear Blast version

| title1 = Impaled

| length1 = 1:31

| title2 = You Gotta Believe

| length2 = 6:00

| title3 = Monster at the End

| length3 = 3:55

| title4 = For All Kings

| length4 = 5:00

| title5 = Breathing Lightning

| length5 = 5:37

| title6 = Breathing Out

| length6 = 0:55

| title7 = Suzerain

| length7 = 4:53

| title8 = Evil Twin

| length8 = 4:40

| title9 = Blood Eagle Wings

| length9 = 7:53

| title10 = Defend/Avenge

| length10 = 5:13

| title11 = All of Them Thieves

| length11 = 5:14

| title12 = This Battle Chose Us!

| length12 = 4:53

| title13 = Zero Tolerance

| length13 = 3:48

| total_length = 59:34}}

Note: The Megaforce iTunes/download version of the album combines "Impaled" / "You Gotta Believe" and "Breathing Lightning" / "Breathing Out" as single tracks, with running times of 7:32 and 6:33 respectively. Although "Impaled" and "Breathing Out" are not indicated on the track listing on the packaging, the CD is mastered with these tracks separately as well.

{{track listing

| headline = Digital bonus tracks / Deluxe edition bonus disc - Recorded live at Loud Park Festival in Japan 10.10.2015

| title1 = Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't

| note1 = live

| length1 = 6:10

| title2 = A.I.R.

| note2 = live

| length2 = 6:37

| title3 = Caught in a Mosh

| note3 = live

| length3 = 5:18

| title4 = Madhouse

| note4 = live

| length4 = 4:05

| total_length = 24:10

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japanese edition bonus track

| title14 = Vice of the People

| length14 = 5:18

| total_length = 64:52

}}

The 2016 Limited Edition Box Set of the album includes a cover of "Carry On Wayward Son", which is close to the original of progressive rock band Kansas from 1976.{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/10050825-Anthrax-For-All-Kings |title=Anthrax – For All Kings |work=Discogs |date=March 24, 2017 |access-date=2020-07-08}} Also the artwork of the cover is a deviation of the original Leftoverture cover.{{Cite web |author=Greg Kennelty |url=https://metalinjection.net/new-music/anthraxs-rendition-of-kansass-carry-on-my-wayward-son-is-on-point |title=ANTHRAX's Rendition Of KANSAS's "Carry On My Wayward Son" Is On Point |date=2017-03-31 |access-date=2024-11-03}} In 2017 the title was released as 12" maxi single with Black Math on the B side.{{Cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11191374-Anthrax-Carry-On-Wayward-Son |title=Anthrax – Carry On Wayward Son |work=Discogs |date= |access-date=2024-11-03}}

Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.{{cite web|url=http://www.nuclearblast.de/en/products/tontraeger/cd/anthrax-for-all-kings.html|title=Anthrax - For All Kings|access-date=February 23, 2016}}

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Anthrax

• Joey Belladonna – lead vocals
• Scott Ian – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Jonathan Donais – lead guitar, backing vocals
• Frank Bello – bass, backing vocals
• Charlie Benante – drums, additional guitars, acoustic guitar

Production

• Jay Ruston – production, mixing
• Paul Logus – mastering at PLX Mastering, NYC
• James Ingram – engineering
• Josh Newell – engineering
• Michael Peterson – engineering
• Asim Ali – additional engineering
• Andy Lagis – additional engineering
• Alex Elsammak – assistant engineering
• Ken Eisennagel – assistant engineering
• Molly Martin – assistant engineering
• Tony Perry – assistant engineering
• Michael Miller – drum technician
• Ian Galloway – guitar technician

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Artwork and packaging

• Alex Ross – album artwork
• Charlie Benante – album design
• Douglas Hesser – graphic design
• Stephen Thompson – additional art

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{{album chart|New Zealand|33|artist=Anthrax|album=For All Kings|rowheader=true|access-date=March 9, 2016}}

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{{album chart|Scotland|10|date=20160304|rowheader=true|access-date=October 24, 2021}}

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{{album chart|UKRock|1|date=2016-03-10|rowheader=true|access-date=March 5, 2016}}

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{{album chart|Billboard200|9|artist=Anthrax|rowheader=true|access-date=March 8, 2016}}

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{{album chart|BillboardHardRock|1|artist=Anthrax|rowheader=true|access-date=September 24, 2020}}

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{{album chart|BillboardTastemaker|2|artist=Anthrax|rowheader=true|access-date=September 24, 2020}}

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• {{Discogs master|type=album|963023|name=For All Kings}}

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Category:2016 albums

Category:Anthrax (American band) albums

Category:Megaforce Records albums

Category:Nuclear Blast albums

Category:Albums with cover art by Alex Ross