Nice review, and I agree. I may have scored this at a 90 myself, as I consider it a modern classic, but with some room for improvement. I've been playing this album over and over for a week now, and it is very rare that an album does that for me. From start to finish, this is a collection of excellent songs, no fillers. I can see how some fans that are attached to the pure thrash 'thrax of old may be disappointed as this isn't a full back-to-roots return to thrash metal. Don't expect Ironbound by Overkill here (awesome CD, btw). Instead we have old school heavy metal with thrashy and hard rock elements sprinkled in with a sound that does not sound dated. I'm a big fan of trad metal and hard rock as well as thrash, so someone like me is going to enjoy this album more than a pure thrash fan who yearns for Among the Living 2.0.
Gone is the groovy nu-metal / grunge / alt-rock hybrid of Bushthrax. Don't get me wrong, John Bush is an awesome talent, but Bushthrax is not my cup of tea whatsoever. For me, this CD is a double blessing because it reins in what is (hopefully) a permanent lineup with Joey back on the mic for Anthrax, AND sees John Bush and Joey Vera keep Armored Saint as a full time band (they are touring now). I really enjoy La Raza, much better than any Bushthrax material. I can see Anthrax material only getting stronger from here. Bear in mind WM was written while Phil Anselmo wannabe Dan Nelson (Danselmo) was in the band. With Joey hopefully in the band for the long haul, I see the next album as a cohesive writing effort from start to finish amongst the band that will naturally suit his style, and thus the thrashier, old school sound we are more accustomed to from a Joey fronted 'thrax. Still, considering the internal drama and game of lead singer musical chairs that preceded the release of this album, I am shocked at how good the final result is. Like I said, if the band remains together as is (and I know that's a BIG IF given the recent history of this band), then we can look for the next album to be even better. But for now, I am happy with the death of Bushthrax, and will go happily spin Worship Music and La Raza now....
