November 5th, 2015 - The Persistent Foray Of Time

Good evenin' hop heads and metal heads!  Yer pal the Meista here tonight thrashing with Anthrax's brilliant "Persistence Of Time" and a Foray Belgian Style I.P.A. from Deschutes Brewing Company!  Hells yeah!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Anthrax
• Title: "Persistence Of Time"
• Recorded: December 1989 through February 1990 at A&M Studios and Conway Studios, Hollywood, California and Soundtrack Studios, New York City, New York
  Release date: August 21st, 1990 (5th studio album by Anthrax)
• Record company: Megaforce, Island
• Production: Anthrax, Mark Dodson, and Jon and Marsha Zazula
• Album cover art: Don Brautigam
• Personnel: Joey Belladonna (lead vocals), Frank Bello (bass), Charlie Benante (drums and harmony guitar on "Intro to Reality"), Scott Ian (rhythm guitar, lead guitar on "Got the Time", harmony guitar on "Intro to Reality", and vocal intro on "In My World"), and Dan Spitz (lead guitar)
• Musical style: Thrash metal, speed metal, heavy metal
• Sound: Make no mistake... although it is darker, more serious, more progressive, and more mature than previous albums, "Persistence Of Time" is still an aggressive and bold album by thrash metal veterans Anthrax!  The band is incredibly tight and Belladonna's vocals are spot on!
• Major themes: Lyrically more mature than previous albums, on "Persistence Of Time" Anthrax shed their usual humor and comic book themed lyrics for more social and emotional themes including tolerance, anti-violence, socio-political criticism, anxiety, justice, and anger.  Of the lyrics, music writer Kim Neely called the album "a foray into the dreary, gray bowels of urban hell".
• Tracks: 

1. "Time"
2. "Blood"
3. "Keep It In The Family"
4. "In My World"
5. "Gridlock"
6. "Intro To Reality"
7. "Belly Of The Beast"
8. "Got The Time" (Joe Jackson cover)
9. "H8 Red"
10. "One Man Stands"
11. "Discharge"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Deschutes Brewing Company (Bend, Oregon)
• Website: http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/
• Brew: Foray Belgian Style I.P.A.
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 6.5%
• IBUs: 60
• Ingredients: Carapils and Pilsner malts with Belgian yeast and Amarillo, Galaxy, Mosiac, and Nugget hops
• Pour: Hazy yellow-gold with a bright, 2-finger billow white head that shows good retention and lacing.
• Nose: The nose of the Foray is hoppy, sweet, citrusy, fruity, and tart.  There are aromas of pear, apple, lemon, grapefruit, pine, and soft Belgian yeast.
• Taste: The taste of the Foray is spicy, hoppy, and fruity.  There are notes of spicy Belgian yeast up front that leads into more citrusy (lemon and grapefruit) notes along with pine and sweeter fruits (pear and apple).
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel is frothy with a crisp, dry, and slightly hoppy, yet clean finish.

Overall pairing: The crisp, punchy flavor of the Foray Belgian Style I.P.A. from Deschutes Brewing Company goes great with the fast-paced and fiery playing of Anthrax while the spicy Belgian flavors are great for the amazing vocal range of Belladonna!

Hails and cheers!!