Anthrax and Black Label Society Headline the Reborn Tattoo the Earth Festival in Worcester – August 27, 2022

Thrash masters Anthrax celebrated their 40th anniversary, alongside Black Label Society and Hatebreed, during the triumphant return of the Tattoo The Earth Festival in Worcester this weekend, as part of their summer US tour.

Fans gathered early to catch the iron clad lineup, with performances by bands like At The Gates, Overcast, Terror and Municipal Waste, among others. The festival took place in the outdoors area of the Palladium across two stages, and fans were able to make their way indoors to catch tattoo artists working on site and showcasing their art all afternoon. 

Hatebreed

Metalcore band Hatebreed took over the main stage right before sunset, with a furious set that lit up the packed crowd, as fans made their way from the second stage. The band treated the audience to some of their greatest hits, with tracks like “Looking Down The Barrel Of Today” and “Destroy Everything”. Leader Jamey Jasta also took a brief moment to raise awareness about the importance of mental health, in reference to the untimely passing of The Black Dahlia Murder’s Trevor Strand. “I Will Be Heard” closed the electric set, setting the bar high for the headliners of the main stage. 

Black Label Society

The curtain was set as fans waited for Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society to take over. The legendary guitarist erupted onto the stage to “Funeral Bell” and “Destroy & Conquer”. The band’s presence was dominant as fans left the indoors and surrounding areas to gather in the main stage. Wylde’s powerful riffs kept the crowd fixated on his every move, with less crowdsurfing and more headbanging. The pace would slow down in the middle of the set for “In This River”, the heartfelt piano tribute to “Dimebag” Darrell and Vinnie Paul’s untimely deaths. A guitar duel would follow between Wylde and Dario Lorina, taking turns on the high platform for “Fire It Up”. The anthemic “Stillborn” would close the set, with fans chanting along until the very end.

Anthrax

It was time for the celebrations to reach their peak, while a screen covered the stage as Anthrax was getting ready to take over. A short video was shown with several artists sharing their memories of the thrash icons – from Lady Gaga to Slash, Gene Simmons to Corey Taylor and many others. Shortly after, Anthrax took the stage, grabbing hold of the audience immediately with back-to-back monster hits “Caught in a Mosh” and “Madhouse.” The set would be packed with classics, from “Metal Thrashing Mad” to “Got the Time”, as well as another tribute to Dimebag, “In the End”.

The evening would come to a close with “Bring The Noise” and the iconic “Indians”, a bit later than expected, but fans did not care. It was a day full of great music and loads of admiration towards Anthrax, their legacy and their future. A band that is as energetic now as it was 40 years ago, the conclusion is loud and clear: a group of guys having fun, while undoubtedly solidifying their legendary status.