When I think of high energy bands, Anthrax is always one of the first to come to mind. On this edition of Band Merch of the Month, we’re revisiting their 2011 release, Worship Music. Keep reading to learn 5 facts about Worship Music by Anthrax and get the details on this musically inspired outfit.
And if you want to know the 3 songs on this album that I couldn’t live without, check out today’s YouTube video!
BAND MERCH OF THE MONTH: Anthrax’s Worship Music BAND TEE DRESS
Before we get into the 5 facts about Worship Music by Anthrax, let’s talk about this one of a kind band tee dress from Aggressive Rags.
Anthrax Band Tee Dress Outfit Details
- Anthrax Worship Music Band Tee Dress: Aggressive Rags
- Shoes: Killstar
- Sunglasses: Killstar
- Earrings: Volta Joules (*gifted for a previous collaboration)
Picture this: You see a piece of clothing that you really like, particularly because of the way it’s cut, shredded, etc. But before you hit that add to cart button, there’s that little voice inside your head wondering how it will hold up, even prior to washing it. We’ve all been there, and honestly it’s a gamble depending on where you’re shopping.
Not only was this old school fashion mentality drilled into my head by family growing up, but also by my Catholic school. We of course had to wear uniforms but every once in a while we had “dress down days”. Despite not having to wear the same plaid skirt/jumper and white blouse as per the usual, we were still limited on what we could wear. Jeans were permitted, but if they had any rips, tears, etc. (which was the style in my middle school years), it was a problem.
Just like any school, though, it all depended on if one of the stricter teachers saw you and would push the issue. My religion teacher, a former nun, was that teacher. Too much eyeliner? You were sent to the bathroom to wash it off. And it wasn’t just limited to eyeliner. Essentially, you could wear natural looking makeup, or none at all. So when a student would wear clothing that crossed the line, they would at a minimum get a lecture about it (along with the rest of the class). The maximum sentence was being sent to the office while you waited for someone to bring you “appropriate” clothing.
In those lectures about what was acceptable to wear, they’d always try to justify it with “why would you waste your money on something like that anyways? It’s not going to last you and it will just fall apart as soon as you put it on”. Maybe because it’s not the 1800s anymore and that’s what I like! I think constantly hearing that rhetoric growing up is why I’m so adamant on dressing however the hell I want. And so of course, I love clothing with wild designs, cuts, and fabrics.
About This Band Tee Dress
Enter this masterfully made, one of a kind dress from Aggressive Rags made from official merch. This was only the second custom order I’ve ever placed for anything in my life. April, the owner of this small business, made the process so simple and honestly, fun. As soon as we got to talking about what I was looking for, she seemed just as pumped as I was to create this. In turn, it made me that much more excited to see the final result.
But how sturdy is the actual material you ask?
Let me put it to you this way. I have a sweater with similar cuts in it from a major alternative brand. Every time I wear it, I’m prepared for it to fall apart. I’ve had other clothing like this in the past made by large brands, and have had a similar experience. So naturally, that’s something I just prepare myself for.
This Anthrax band tee dress is the polar opposite of that. The garment itself is extremely sturdy and well made. I’m not sure how she did it, but the material is so strong that it almost feels like its re-enforced. I don’t have to be afraid to move around, or worry as much about where I’m wearing it. And as a girl that’s into metal who loves going to shows, having clothing that is sturdy and will last is an absolute necessity.
While this dress is a one of a kind item, Aggressive Rags does have items available in her Etsy shop, in addition to accepting custom orders. For more details on her shop as well as other small business that reconstruct official merch into something awesome for women, check out this list.
5 Facts About Worship Music by Anthrax
Now that you have the details on this band tee dress, it’s time for your lesson in Heavy Music 101. Here’s 5 facts about Worship Music by Anthrax that you should know.
Worship Music was not only Anthrax’s first new music in 8 years, but it also marked the return of iconic frontman Joey Belladonna.
With the release of 2003’s We’ve Come For You All, Anthrax toured for over 3 years and then spent at least 2 years afterwards writing Worship Music, according to Scott Ian. The recording process itself took place over a 4 year period in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago based studios. The album, which was meant to be the studio debut of new frontman Dan Nelson, was initially almost finished in 2009. Things were then put on hold though, when Nelson made his exit. The silver lining? Vocalist Joey Belladonna made his return to Anthrax in early 2010, making Worship Music his first album with the band in 21 years. Prior to Worship Music, his last album with Anthrax was 1990’s Persistence of Time.
Worship Music went through several changes before becoming the album we know today.
When Joey Belladonna reunited with the band, Anthrax essentially opted to re-record Worship Music. This led to some songs being scraped/shelved while others were simply revamped with new lyrics or slight changes to suit Belladonna’s style. Charlie Benante told Premier Guitar, “Joey’s approach to it was way different, at least different than I imagined. He brought a different flavor to it and it was so apparent that we found what was missing. It sounds like Anthrax now.”
“In The End” was written as a tribute to metal legends Ronnie James Dio and Dimebag Darrell.
Anthrax Guitarist Scott Ian even said on his blog that “In The End” is “the centerpiece of Worship Music“. It was initially titled “Down Goes The Sun”. The song also went through several revisions, including being re-recorded before becoming the final version heard on the album. Dimebag and Ronnie were not only friends of the band, but they also connected musically. Dimebag himself played on 3 Anthrax records whereas Ronnie was very much seen as a mentor to Anthrax.
Worship Music is the first Anthrax album where the band was not present at the vocal sessions.
In an interview with Metal Insider, Joey Belladonna said, “It was pretty easy, me and Jay Ruston, the producer, were banging a song out a day, and it was quite awesome to be able to accomplish that without anyone there. I didn’t have anybody like looking in the window or commenting on every word, every sentence, every verse, chorus. We just banged out everything that we needed to do each day and then just emailed the band the cuts and they were digging it so it was just a nice, peaceful setting.”
The album’s title was inspired by a late night TV show.
As Charlie Benante said, “One night, many years ago, I fell asleep with the TV on,” explained Benante. “About four or five in the morning, I woke up, picked up the remote and pulled up the digital program guide. There was a show on called ‘Worship Music‘, and I thought ‘what a great title for an album.’ Most heavy metal fans worship their favorite bands, metal heads are so loyal to metal, going to a concert is like going to a house of worship. ‘Worship Music‘ said it all.”
Ready for your next lesson in Heavy Music 101?
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