All Images and Words courtesy of Mert Tyson Media
ANTHRAX + ALIEN WEAPONRY – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane, 23.03.26
A night of metal thrashing mayhem and Māori mana in the Valley!
You could tell from the moment Alien Weaponry kicked off with their cheeky nod to Van Halen’s “Jump” that this was going to be one to remember. The lights dropped, the crowd buzzed, and those opening notes ripped through the room like a warning shot. Brisbane, buckle up, you’re in for a pounding.
As an Alien Weaponry virgin, I walked in curious and walked out a believer. These Kiwi lads mix thrash metal with Māori culture in a way that cuts deep. The haka alone could rattle your spine. From the first strike, they owned that stage with fierce confidence, blending groove, aggression and heritage into something pure and unapologetic. The rhythms were bone-breaking, the presence magnetic. You could feel the pride and see the power. Heads were banging, jaws were dropping, and I heard plenty of “These guys are bloody good!” around me. Yeah mate, I agree. Alien Weaponry did Australasia proud.
Then came the legends. Anthrax. Forty-five years give or take of metal thrashing madness since forming in 1981, and still flying the thrash flag with zero signs of slowing down. This band was our rebellion, our soundtrack, our shoulder shake to a dull 80s world. If you were Gen X, you get it. Anthrax weren’t just music, they were attitude and the cure for conformity.
Joey Belladonna, Scott “Not” Ian, Frankie Bello, Charlie Benante and Jonathan Donais showed Brisbane exactly why they’re still royalty. The set was a greatest-hits gut punch, opening with A.I.R., warming up the crowd before diving into the pure manic joy of Got The Time. Bello was a blur; those fingers move faster than a caffeinated hummingbird. For those who don’t know, it’s a Joe Jackson cover. Off the fifth studio album Persistence of Time and live, it’s absolute bedlam in the best way.
Madhouse rolled in next, setting the mosh pit alight. Then came that unmistakable riff, Caught in a Mosh. Brisbane went off like it was 1987 again, bodies colliding, arms flying, and I somehow ended up halfway into a wall of death before being rescued by my equally vintage Gen X mates. “We got this,” they laughed. Yes, we do. The generation that never cared then and still doesn’t now, except about good music and cold beer.
Hearing Metal Thrashing Mad took me right back to the Fistful of Metal days, raw and unfiltered thrash. When they dropped Fight ’Em ‘til You Can’t, it felt like a rallying cry for every diehard still standing. Breathing Lightning proved Anthrax can evolve without ever losing their punch.
Midway through, Joey took a moment to salute the crowd and asked how many first-time fans were in the room. The number of Gen Z hands waving in the air gave me hope. Maybe good parenting does still exist, priorities done right.
Then came Keep It in the Family, Be All, End All and the haunting Medusa. Joey’s voice soared, melodic but fierce, making every hair on your neck stand up. Jonathan tore through solos like he was born with a guitar in his hand, while Benante’s double kick thundered across the hall like distant artillery.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Anthrax without Indians. When Scott yelled “War Dance!”, Brisbane lost it completely. The whole floor moved as one, a sea of metal unity. The lyrics about identity, pride and prejudice still hit hard, maybe even harder in today’s world. Brilliant, just brilliant.
Just when you thought they’d wrapped it up, they came back for the encore. I’m the Man had everyone shouting along before the hammer dropped with, I Am the Law and Antisocial. Judge Dredd himself would have been proud. Joey even teased the crowd with a quick “Run to the Hills” line that had everyone laughing and singing. Pure gold.
By the end of the night, my voice was gone, my neck was sore, and my grin was wide. Anthrax still has it. In fact, they might sound better than ever, tight, ferocious and full of heart. With Alien Weaponry as their partners in crime, this was one of the most powerful metal nights Brisbane has seen in years.
As always thank you to all involved, the staff and crew at the Fortitude you are incredible as always! Security you had a big night always wanker wanting to ruin it all a big unit at that but you held your own and evicted that loser. Thank you Live Nation and Hear2Zen I wanted this one and appreciate you so much! ANTHRAX, You were incredible and Alien Weaponry you have a new fan! Superb.
Fortitude Music Hall, you’ve been judged and found guilty of pure metal awesomeness. Australia you need to get on this!!!!
See ya in the front row, or at the bar. Mert.
