The last record to feature the throat of Joey Belladonna, the band would go on to construct 'real metal', which left me completely cold, especially the powerful yet dour vocal delivery of John Bush. However, I guess some things have to come to an end and the great moshin' days of Anthrax were up after this record, one which has never been given the credit it deserves. The previous record, 'State Of Euphoria', had an almost punky edge and elements of comedy, and apart from the out of place cover of 'Got The Time', I find 'Persistence...' to be a rewarding opus, and one a little dark around the edges. I wonder what would have happened if Joey had been given the chance to stay, because after the classic second and third records I still believe Anthrax were a huge force in the metal industry, and this record proves why. The band have upped the anti, creating a more industrialised vision, which once again makes the cover version of Joe Jackson even more awkward. Belladonna is on top form and that classic Anthrax chug is in full flow, but with darker dynamics. After the madcap antics of 'State...' a serious side emerges, opener 'Time' rattles in at almost seven minutes, Bello's bass clattering the speakers behind Ian's mighty, and oh so recognisable chug. 'Blood', another seven-minute face smasher follows suit, as does another seven-minute scorcher 'Keep It In The Family'. The chanted choruses still exist, but with a melancholic and at times angry edge, Anthrax sounding pissed off at the world, a killer riff ensues accompanied by Benante's earthquake thud. 'Keep...' remains one of the bands best cuts to date, cutting lyrically and doom-laden in its heaviness. 'In My World' keeps the mood but ups the pace...slightly, a memorable chorus and gargantuan plod and 'Gridlock' closes the side. Side two, with the exception of 'Got The Time' keeps its poker face. 'Belly Of The Beast', 'H8 Red' et al, proving to be the bands gloomiest, stark and most monstrous structures. I don't know if the the band knew Joey was going to to split, but the attitude and swagger on 'Persistence..' suggests some type of inner conflict, but for me one that made the sound stronger, but I guess it affected the relationship of the members. Of course, after several albums without Bush, Joey would return to the fold and Anthrax were once again part of the Big Four of thrash metal. 'Persistence...' merely proof that the band weren't just about skatebords and bermuda shorts.
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