Anthrax

[metallex78]

Anthrax's new album The Greater Of Two Evils is a collection of the bands early material, re-recorded live in the studio with band's current line-up.
You can listen to it here: http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/anthrax/artist.jhtml?_requestid=361088

I'm a John Bush era Anthrax fan, so I never really heard any of the stuff before Sound Of White Noise, so all these songs are pretty much new to me. I've had a few listens to some of the songs and it sounds like Kill 'Em All era Metallica but with better production, and I'm very impressed!

This is one album I'm definitely buying, whenever it gets released in Australia!

[Kujo]

Thanks for posting this, I hadnt heard about this at all. Would have been nice if they could have fit "In My World" into the playlist also.

Damn I'm going to be spending alot of money on tuesday: U2, Anthrax, Seinfeld DVD set, Harry Potter DVD, Nirvana Box set, Aerosmith DVD

Tis the season................................ for a second damn job

[Dot]

Finally someone here other than me is into Anthrax.

[metallex78]

Yeah, I've been right into them lately, it's really surprising they don't have a bigger following than they do, because even performing live they kick ass!
I put on the Music Of mass Destruction DVD today and damn they are fuckin tight!
Charlie Benante is amazing on the kit, you'd think his feet would fall off with all those double-bass kicks!

I haven't been able to track down the new album here in Australia yet which is pretty disappointing, but I haven't given up!

[metallex78]

As I've stated before, I'm a John Bush era Anthrax fan, but I decided to go along and see the reunion show that was on in Sydney last night, and I must say, I was quite impressed!

I still prefer Bush's vocals, but Joey Belladonna is one hell of a front man and puts on a great show. Dan Spitz was great too, although some of his leads were a bit hard to hear in the mix.

I'm not sure of the exact setlist order, but after a short video showing the history of Anthrax, they opened with Among The Living and also played Got The Time, N.F.L, Deathrider, Metal Thrashing Mad, Caught In A Mosh, Indians (complete with Joey wearing Indian headgear), I Am The Law, Be All End All, Madhouse, Medusa, In My Word, Antisocial, I'm The Man and A.I.R.

They also played the intro to Pantera's A New Level with Scott Ian playing the Dimebag guitar which got really loud cheers from the crowd!

All in all, it was great concert, there were allot of 80's metalheads there and allot of mullets out too! hehe

Aussie band Mortal Sin who were supporting them were pretty good too, although I didn't know any of their songs, so it all kinda sounded very samey, they were tight though!

The one thing that sucked about the night was the line to the bar, I had to wait in line almost an hour in line to get a beer, the service was shit!!!

[Rob]

What's everybody's opinion on the Anthrax reunion.  I was one of the lucky ones to attend the show in Jersey where they shot the new DVD.  It was an amazing show...maybe the craziest crowd I've ever been a part of.  I personally love the reunion.  John Bush may be a better singer than Belladona, and Rob Coggiano may be a better guitarist than Dan Spitz, but this is the lineup that put out the best material and puts on the best live shows.  I hope this reunion lasts as long as possible.

[metallex78]

I made a post about it here and got no replies...

http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/board/index.php?topic=20423.0

[nesquick]

"Anthrax", just the band's name doesn't give me the want to listen to them. Sorry but it just really doesn't attract me at all.
Heavy-metal band's names/albums names/songs names are always very funny: death, cimetary, catacombs, blood, vampire, satan...
come on, do they SMILE sometimes in their life?

[metallex78]

"Anthrax", just the band's name doesn't give me the want to listen to them. Sorry but it just really doesn't attract me at all.
Heavy-metal band's names/albums names/songs names are always very funny: death, cimetary, catacombs, blood, vampire, satan...
come on, do they SMILE sometimes in their life?

If you're limiting yourself from listening to a band just because of their name, then you're doing yourself a disservice and ignoring allot of good music out there, including Anthrax's.

To say Anthrax sing about "death, cimetary, catacombs, blood, vampire, satan" without even hearing their music is just silly. And if you knew anything about these guys, you'd also know they have a huge sense of humour and their music is up there with the thrash classics - Metallica (80's), Megadeth, Slayer.

[R4tfink]

Im getting more and more into them, Anthrax actually write songs about fun things as well as the usual metal topics.
Will defintately check them out if they tour the UK.

[nesquick]

"Anthrax", just the band's name doesn't give me the want to listen to them. Sorry but it just really doesn't attract me at all.
Heavy-metal band's names/albums names/songs names are always very funny: death, cimetary, catacombs, blood, vampire, satan...
come on, do they SMILE sometimes in their life?

If you're limiting yourself from listening to a band just because of their name, then you're doing yourself a disservice and ignoring allot of good music out there, including Anthrax's.

To say Anthrax sing about "death, cimetary, catacombs, blood, vampire, satan" without even hearing their music is just silly. And if you knew anything about these guys, you'd also know they have a huge sense of humour and their music is up there with the thrash classics - Metallica (80's), Megadeth, Slayer.

yep, maybe. But I do say I have lots of difficulties with that genre of music. I don't understand their approach. And don't worry, I really tried to give it a chance (not to anthrax specifically, but more generally to that kind of music), so I went to the "trash/death-metal" section in virgin megastor, I put the headphones...and i put it off 15 seconds later.
Sorry...

[Walk]

You're just not hearing the right bands or you're not in the right setting to appreciate the music. Thrash metal is notoriously associated with alcohol, partying, and headbanging. The best way to experience it is to see it live. It can take time to get used to. I would recommend Sepultura, Sodom, and Kreator as good thrash bands.

Death metal is an acquired taste. In fact, I've heard that some of the greatest death metal albums ever barely went gold, if even that far! It's a very "kvlt" type of music that isn't for everyone. Black metal is a little more accessible than death metal, usually.

Metal bands choose cool names because they're cool. Death metal bands choose names about death, what else? They're not any cheesier than many glam band names (Sleez Beez, I'm looking right at you).

[metallex78]

Thrash metal is notoriously associated with alcohol, partying, and headbanging.

You could say the same about Guns N' Roses music, so I'm surprised that someone on this board would have such a narrow-minded view of thrash (not trash) metal bands.

At the end of the day, it's all rock n' roll to me anyway!

[metallex78]

And going back on topic, the Anthrax reunion show I saw in Sydney earlier this year was great, and easily one of the best metal gigs I've ever seen.

I'm still hoping John Bush and Rob Caggiano rejoin the band, but if you get a chance to see these guys on their current reunion tour, I'd highly recommend to go along, you won't be disappointed

[Walk]

I'm hoping John Bush and Armored Saint put out a good album.

[Rob]

I'm hoping John Bush and Armored Saint put out a good album.

I think it would be cool if Bush got back with Armored Saint.  How awesome a show would it be if they were to open for the reunited Anthrax?  And to nesquick...Anthrax are some of the funniest, fun-loving, normal guys in rock or metal.  Most of there songs aren't about death, and I don't know if any of them are about Satan.  Some of their favorite topics are metal, social issues, comic books and other literature, personal stuff, and even (gasp) having fun.  Just listen to I'm The Man and tell me these guys don't have tons of fun.  You need to be educated in the right kind of metal.  Not Slipnot...real metal like Anthrax, Megadeth, and Iron Maiden.

[Metallifuck]

"Anthrax", just the band's name doesn't give me the want to listen to them. Sorry but it just really doesn't attract me at all.
Heavy-metal band's names/albums names/songs names are always very funny: death, cimetary, catacombs, blood, vampire, satan...
come on, do they SMILE sometimes in their life?

Oh..my...god...

[mrlee]

Why listen to death metal?
 
Half the time thats slipknot shit.

Even sum 41 have a better metal sound than slipnkot even if they have punk with them.

Try Skid Row and metallica (kill em all, ride the lightning, master of puppets (a must have) and justice for all, Black album (because you sound a commercialised guy  )

[Dot]

John Bush is a better singer than Belladona by faaaaaaaar. I feel really sad that he?s out, but I know the classic lineup can clearly do some damage...hopefuly they?ll release an album.

[R4tfink]

Why listen to death metal?
 
Half the time thats slipknot shit.

 

Your innocence amuses me Mrlee, most Death Metal bands out there would rip out your heart and eat it, if they heard you were associating them with Slipknot.

Slipknot is Nu - Metal, perhaps sometimes even straying into Metal with recent efforts, they are a far cry from Death Metal my friend!

[Walk]

Why listen to death metal?
 
Half the time thats slipknot shit.

Even sum 41 have a better metal sound than slipnkot even if they have punk with them.

Try Skid Row and metallica (kill em all, ride the lightning, master of puppets (a must have) and justice for all, Black album (because you sound a commercialised guy  )

Half the time it blows your fucking head off, that's why. Get Death's Leprosy album, yes just one album, and if you don't like it, then death metal isn't for you. As it is, you sound like you've never heard a single death metal song ever.

[Kujo]

Although I never thought that he had a great voice, Belladona was the voice of some of their best songs (In My World). After hearing John Bush sing these songs, I didnt miss Belladona much. I dont really see the need for this reunion but if they come to Florida, I will be there

[Rob]

I like them better as a band with Belladona.  I like how he sounds singing the songs, even though Bush is a better singer.  Also they once again play the songs fast.  The two times I saw them before the reunion they played slowed down versions of the old songs.  But now they're back to playing everything fast.

[mrlee]

Going to the wolverhampton gig. anyways its all standing. ive never been to a all standing gig for a metal band......will i get killed in the crowd?? or if i go right at the front should i live to rock again?

[Hammy]

Going to the wolverhampton gig. anyways its all standing. ive never been to a all standing gig for a metal band......will i get killed in the crowd?? or if i go right at the front should i live to rock again?

You should be right dude.

I noticed your profile says your 15 so you might find it a tad rough.

Fact is at most gigs (there are exceptions...) people are sound enough, or at least i've found them to be.  Yeah things get crazy and you will probably come out with a few bruises at the worst, you know you might catch an elbow in the face or something but nothing to worry about.  If you get knocked down chances are they'll pick you back up, things are fairly safe these days with security and everything.

2 most brutal pits i've been in were System of a Down & Arch Enemy.  SOAD at Leeds back in 2003 i remember the barrier broke or became dislodged at the front with all the pressure and things stopped for a bit, band were hilarious keeping us entertained while it got fixed.  As for Arch Enemy i pretty much got bounced about like a rag doll, i went with the don't fight roll with it principal and loved it, one of my fave experiences seeing a live band.  Anyway to cut a long story short don't be scared, don't be a pussy just get in that pit and enjoy yourself!

[echrisl]

You'll be fine ... I saw Anthrax last November (in the US), and the pit was crazy, especially during Caught in a Mosh, but if you stay out of the pit the rest of the floor shouldn't be too crazy. 

Even in the pit, most people are decent enough.  And the assholes get everyone else trying to beat them up, so they usually get worked over pretty good and knock their idiocy the fuck off.

If you do find it too rough, just kind of retreat back a bit, and find a calmer spot.

Maybe a bit off topic, but actually the craziest I've ever seen the floor in general was at GNR in '02.  I was at the Tacoma show, which ended up being the first show of the tour (not counting Vancouver, obviously, since Axl didn't show).  When the first notes of WTTJ hit, the entire place went nuts, and it didn't calm down a bit until the end of Jungle.

[jameslofton29]

Going to the wolverhampton gig. anyways its all standing. ive never been to a all standing gig for a metal band......will i get killed in the crowd?? or if i go right at the front should i live to rock again?

I seen Anthrax in concert back in 1991. The mosh pit was total chaos. I had to hit plenty of people because they kept plowing into me. Even had to knock a couple of girls to the ground. I dont know about their fanbase now, but back then all the people in the pit were completely spun out on dope. You're pretty young, so be careful. Just kick back and watch what goes on down there, and if you think you can handle it, jump right in. Like the other guy said, you will make contact with people, and will likely have to defend yourself from drunk and drugged out dudes and girls running around not paying any attention to where they're going.

[mrlee]

just replying to inform you i went to the gig, and had a awesome time.

first of the support band, neyond fear, were fucking awesome, there singer can seriously scream.

Then athrax came on...the crowd was really mad but not voilent mad so it was just fun. they played a awesome set, ronnie james dio and someone from slayer were at the side watching them (they told us this) so they got all the crowd to do the horns for dio informing us of his inventing of it. Then i caught frank bellos plec at the end 

[metallex78]

just replying to inform you i went to the gig, and had a awesome time.

first of the support band, neyond fear, were fucking awesome, there singer can seriously scream.

Then athrax came on...the crowd was really mad but not voilent mad so it was just fun. they played a awesome set, ronnie james dio and someone from slayer were at the side watching them (they told us this) so they got all the crowd to do the horns for dio informing us of his inventing of it. Then i caught frank bellos plec at the end?

Yeah, I saw the reunited Anthrax in Australia last year and it was a great show.
I prefer John Bush singing for them, but they definitely put on a great show playing all the classics

[Metallifuck]

Any other fans? 

I love their older stuff, but need to get some of the newer albums.

 

[judgesmf]

Love em !!! early stuff that is !! I saw them once I think it was about 1988 on the europhia tour , what a concert!!

[Metallifuck]

Love em !!! early stuff that is !! I saw them once I think it was about 1988 on the europhia tour , what a concert!!

 

I saw them this year in London. It was fucking brilliant! Hearing the Among the Living intro on the PA fired everyone up then you know what comes next. 

[metallex78]

Any other fans??

I love their older stuff, but need to get some of the newer albums.

 

I'm a big fan of the John Bush fronted Anthrax, but I've now seen both versions of the band since they've done this reunion tour. Still prefer John over Joey, but both line-ups kick ass.

As for the newer albums, I think the best are (in order) Sound Of White Noise, We've Come For You All and Stomp 442. Check em out!

[mrlee]

they have put up dimebag darrell solo outtakes on there site according to there myspace


http://www.anthrax.com/

[zman]

Yup these guys kick ass.


Good solo om Dimebag hoep to hear the others sometime soon.

[metallex78]

For anyone who might be interested, Anthrax have parted ways with Joey Belladonna and the reunion is over. As a fan of the John Bush era of the band, I'm happy to see Joey gone, but I think fucked over John Bush and can't reallysee him returning to the fold, which is a damn shame as We've Come For You All is my fav Anthrax album.

Anyway, got this news from blabbermouth:

ANTHRAX Guitarist SCOTT IAN: 'The Reunion Is Over' - Jan. 24, 2007

ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has issued the following statement via the band's official fan club site, CDC:

"Finally, we're going back to work. We're going to Chicago to work our asses off and write a record. It's time. We're ready. One problem... no singer.

"We were offered a direct support slot on a major tour this spring and Joey [Belladonna, vocals] decided he did not want to move forward. The reunion is over. We tried to make it work but I guess that's the problem, you can't 'make' something work. It's gotta be natural and at least becoming a band again and playing live was.

"Over the course of around 140 shows we became a better band than we ever were before from 1984 - 92. The shows we played from April 2005 through October 2006 were incredible and some of the best gigs we've ever played. Doing Donington again was mind-blowing, Graspop was insane, the insanity in Finland, Chicago, Milwaukee, three times in L.A.!!!, three times across Western Canada!!, Glasgow!!!!!, London!!!, the Nokia show in NY, the Starland show in NJ, JUDAS PRIEST!, ROB ZOMBIE!, Gigantour!!, Australia!!!, Japan!!!!!!, really, there's not a bummer in 19 months.

"Thank you from the very depths of my soul for being the best fans in the world. We got to relive something that I never thought we could and it turned out better than I ever thought it would. We didn't have to force it, it just happened and it was great.

"My curiosity was piqued by the idea of what ANTHRAX would sound like now with Joey singing. Over the last few months we've discussed this endlessly to no avail. The problems that were there could not be fixed no matter how hard we tried and in the end Joey made the decision.

"I know a lot of you out there are disappointed by this and that's the last thing we ever want. None of us want to disappoint. If we were meant to make a reunion record we would've. Some things look easy on paper but the reality is that they are impossible and what works for one band doesn't work for others. Maybe we could've forced something and cashed in on a new record but that's not the way we operate.
My reality is I feel we have some unfinished business with the 'We've Come for You All' lineup and I will do my best to finish it.

"I hope you can find it in your hearts to support all of us in whatever happens going forward.

"Charlie [Benante, drums], Frankie [Bello] and I are excited about creating new music and for now we will focus on that and write another killer ANTHRAX record."

[mrlee]

thats a shame because they were a great act when i saw them.

[zman]

Mark Carras of RockMyMonkey.com conducted an interview yesterday (Jan. 24) with ex-ANTHRAX singer Joey Belladonna. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:

Rock My Monkey: Okay, so I guess Scott Ian [ANTHRAX guitarist] has made an announcement saying that basically you guys were preparing to record, they wanted to record a new album, and basically he says that he doesn't make any specifics, but he said that you made the decision not to record the album, and not to continue with it.

Joey Belladonna: I haven't really done anything really, to be honest with you. It's really not my group so I don't, I really don't want to comment on any of that, really, to be honest with you. I think it's all insane what's going on. It's not my band.

Rock My Monkey: But was there talk of recording a new album?

Joey Belladonna: They want to do a record regardless. That's been the whole plan. They have to have a record sometime. They need a record, right?

Rock My Monkey: Right, right. Absolutely.

Joey Belladonna: Regardless they would do a record sometime. Whether it was with me or somebody, ANTHRAX was going to do a record, I would assume.

Rock My Monkey: Was there any choice by you, was there any decision by you, or even an offer made to you to record that new album?

Joey Belladonna: I'm sure there's possibilities for me to do a lot of things. It's just ? there's always a lot of circumstance that they place when you're doing it, When you do that stuff. I don't think that you just make a record, you know? Unless you're in a situation, you've been, you know, it's a just an ongoing thing, you've been doing it for years. Like the old days, you just kind of go in and do one. It's obviously a little different, because I wasn't in a band for quite awhile. Likewise thing with same Danny [Spitz, guitar], too. I'm not even the only one to be considered, but I don't think it's all about me.

Rock My Monkey: But you're saying that you would be? Would you be excited to record a new ANTHRAX album?

Joey Belladonna: Oh, absolutely. I would have loved to do one, yeah. I mean, but again, and all due respect, there's a lot of circumstances that take place to do that kind of stuff. There's a lot of things involved. Just think about it, you know. You have to have material, you have to have a reason. You have to have everything. You have to have a place to do it, the circumstance. All the basics have to be there. Again, it's not for me to decide any of that stuff. So I don't decide it. It's not my band. And you have to know that I was not there. I wasn't in that band. They asked me to come back and do a reunion. So that's about all I know. It's hard for me to really answer anything specific here.

Rock My Monkey: Now, it sounds like, I mean, there's a communication problem, because you're sounding like you? it sounds like Scott Ian put out an announcement before everything was really talked over with you. It sounds like you really aren't aware of this.

Joey Belladonna: Yeah, I mean, regardless of how aware of things I am, if they want to move forward regardless of things in place for them they're going to do that. They can do whatever they want. Likewise, really. That's what it boils down to. Again, I really, it's too hard to make light of everything that needs to be done, and anybody's case, really, unfortunately.

Rock My Monkey: Would there be, for you, is the door always open, is the door always open to return to ANTHRAX? Did the reunion, did the way that this ended this time, did it put any kind of bad taste in your mouth? Are you always open and excited to return to that microphone?

Joey Belladonna: Well, I always will. I mean, god, it didn't take me five minutes to say yes to something. It's just, when you're doing that type of thing, it takes a lot of people to put it all together, I think. It's not just me. There's other people involved, and they have to enjoy the circumstances, and have to know they want to go ahead. I think when they first started, I think they were trying to be real careful, of doing it how much they were going to do it, and how long it was going to take place. And I think, with all due respect, I think we did a good run. Eighteen months was a nice chunk of run. It was pretty lengthy. Some bands maybe would have done two months, and then they end it. They do that one run, and that was cool. Then again, it's not a problem. I just can't predict anybody's path and what they want to do, and how they want to do it, and whom they want to do it with, you know? It goes with anybody's band, I think.


Check out the entire interview in text and MP3 format at RockMyMonkey.com.


Who know's what to think. Are they or aren't they.

I actually like both singers they have 2 different voices.

[Malcolm]

SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor has confirmed that he has been working with ANTHRAX on material for their upcoming studio album. Speaking to Germany's Rock Hard magazine, Taylor said of the possibility that he will become the new ANTHRAX singer, "It's been banded about. I'm not saying anything right now because all it's been is just talked about. Obviously, I'm really good friends with those guys. It kind of started as a joke. And then the more we talked about it, the more serious it got. I'm gonna at least help them out. It's kind of a dream come true ? ANTHRAX is one of my favorite bands. We're just kind of taking baby steps right now. I know that we worked on about eight or nine songs together that I've written lyrics for, and there was a song that I had actually written for them that I was just gonna give them the music for, and once this kind of happened, I had to turn around and write lyrics for it myself. But there's nothing definite right now. It's one of those things where it's like we're just gonna kind of play it by ear and just see what happens. So there's nothing definite. It's something that we're talking about ? it's something that we kind of wanna do. But I'm in two huge bands right now. So it's like I barely get enough time to sleep, let alone do another band. . . I'm gonna be busy, period. I'm just kind of honored that they would even consider me. These are people that I grew up listening to, these are guys that I had the privilege of getting to know on a real basis. To have them look at me and go, 'You know what? We would love to work with you,' it's such a huge compliment. It kind of makes me feel like I've come a long way in my life."

[CheapJon]

I dont know many anthrax songs.. can probably count them on one hand.. but if corey joined them i'd for sure check that out... he's fucking awesome

[metallex78]

Unless they should get John Bush back, I don't think I'll be tooo interested.

I think Corey should stick with Slipknot and Stone Sour.

[Malcolm]

ANTHRAX has abandoned plans to utilize the services of SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor on its next album due to scheduling conflicts with Taylor's other projects. ANTHRAX is said to be currently looking for a new singer to join the fold, although this has not yet been officially confirmed by the band or its management.

[Wheres Izzy]

I'm not a fan of Corey Taylor anyway. I always liked John Bush but I was really looking forward to hearing new songs with Joey Belladonna. It's a real shame that didn't come to fruition.

[SLCPUNK]

It's a madhouse!!!!

[metallex78]

Fuck getting another new singer, they should get back the real deal - John Bush!

[Wheres Izzy]

Fuck getting another new singer, they should get back the real deal - John Bush!

They already tried Bush doesn't want to get back with them. Can't really blame him, I love charlie, scott, and frank but out of nowhere after all that time together to go and do the tour with joey was pretty cold.

[otgm]

Fuck getting another new singer, they should get back the real deal - John Bush!

They already tried Bush doesn't want to get back with them. Can't really blame him, I love charlie, scott, and frank but out of nowhere after all that time together to go and do the tour with joey was pretty cold.

Yeah but I saw Anthrax here in Finland in 2006 with Joey and man did they rock! The best show I've ever attended, it was crazy from beginning to end. I don't care much for John Bush era Anthrax, though.

BTW, cool Bad Religion quote on your signature. You seem like a guy who likes good music   

[CheapJon]

Announced today that Joey will rejoin the band at the upcoming shows this summer


can you guys reccommend 10 songs for me to check out? I got tickets for Sonisphere Sweden and I've only heard "in my world", "got the time" & "caught in a mosh"

[metallex78]

With Joey back in, I'm officially done with this band.

Joey's vocals are shite and I was only a fan of the John Bush era, and John is the better frontman anyway.
This decision is obviously because Joey is a last resort because John wasn't into it.

I wish them the best, but it didn't work out with Joey after their last reunion tour, and I don't see this lasting either.
And after they pretty much recently admitted that the 2005 reunion was only for money, and now they're back with him, they've lost me as a fan.

[metallex78]

Announced today that Joey will rejoin the band at the upcoming shows this summer

can you guys reccommend 10 songs for me to check out? I got tickets for Sonisphere Sweden and I've only heard "in my world", "got the time" & "caught in a mosh"

Here's my pick from the Joey-era, which John Bush re-recorded with the band on this album - http://www.amazon.com/Greater-Two-Evils-Anthrax/dp/B00068CVLW

Deathrider
Metal Thrashing Mad
Caught In A Mosh
A.I.R
Among The Living
Keep It In The Family
Indians
Madhouse
Panic
I Am The Law
Belly Of The Beast
N.F.L.
Be All, End All

[FunkyMonkey]

Anthrax: 'New Album Is Going To Be A Combination Of Things'

Thrash metal titans Anthrax recently announced the return of vocalist Joey Belladonna, who sang on Anthrax?s breakthrough albums, such as 1985?s Spreading The Disease and 1990?s Persistence Of Time to the band?s fold. This marks the third time Belladonna has fronted the thrash-metal band during its 25 plus year run, having previously been replaced by Dan Nelson and John Bush.

For founding Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, a new found sense of optimism has engulfed the band. So much so that the band plan to return to the road soon for a summer tour with the Big Four, and also return to the studio to re-track the album the band recorded with their former vocalist which they now hope to have out in 2011. While the band was in rehearsals for their upcoming tour, Joe Matera spoke to Scott Ian about all the latest happenings in his world and that of Anthrax.

UG: The big news for fans is the return of Joey Belladonna to the group. How does it feel to have Joey back?

Scott Ian: It feels great to have Joey back. It was something we started talking about initially when we heard about the possibility of these Big Four shows [tour with Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax] that was the catalyst for the whole thing. It is just really nice that for the first time in awhile in the world of Anthrax, something that we really wanted to happen, actually worked out positively for us.

It is true that the turmoil the group has been through in the past couple of years with the departure of Dan Nelson amongst other things, brought the group close to breaking up?

Well probably yes it was. If it wasn?t for the fact that last summer John [Bush] did step in after Dan had quit, and the fact that John came back and did the Sonicsphere shows with us, and did Japan and Australia with us too, he kind of stepped into a situation where we were really stuck. But for him it wasn?t a case of something that he was going to continue with, as it is not where he is in his life at the moment. During that time as well, that was when the Big Four thing went from being a rumor to a reality and that was when the first discussions between the band were like, ?maybe we should do this with Joey? because he was the guy that just seemed to make more sense you know.

"It is just really nice that for the first time in awhile in the world of Anthrax, something that we really wanted to happen, actually worked out positively for us."

What is the status with Worship Music the album you recorded with former vocalist Dan Nelson, are you planning to re-record it with Joey on vocals?

It is going to be a combination of things. The one thing I can say and the only positive about having this record basically shelved, was being able to live with it for over a year now. We have got the luxury of hindsight whereas the normal situation would be we?d just finish the record and put it out and go on tour for a year. But now that we?ve lived with the record and played the songs, we?re able to say, ?maybe this could have been different? or ?this could have been better?. So we?ve been living with this record for a year and it hasn?t come out and we?ve been able to look back on it and say, ?here?s the shit we really love? and ?here?s the stuff that could be better?. So there are five or six songs that I think Joey will sing on and of course his voice is different and his approach is going to be different too so that is going to change things or enable us to change things. And then there are a couple songs that we think need to be rearranged and reworked a little bit. We like parts of them but not the whole song and then there are also ideas for three or four new things on top of all that. So it is a combination of all of those things. It is going to be a lot of work but at the end of the day, this record is only going to be better at the end of it.

Continue here: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/anthrax_new_album_is_going_to_be_a_combination_of_things.html

[FunkyMonkey]

From Scott Ian:

Posted: October 3

Carnage tour shaking up Montage

?They are both such integral parts of this band,? Ian says of his past and present singers. ?But, at this point, it doesn?t matter to me if it?s Joey or John. I?ve been doing this for so long that it just feels like Anthrax to me. The whole is greater than the individual parts.?

In a recent interview with a U.K. rock magazine, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich hinted at American gigs.

?It?s super exciting to hear Lars talking publicly about it. They?re the ones who will make it happen. They?re the ones who made it happen the first time around,? Ian says. ?The irony is that the four big U.S bands of thrash metal haven?t played a U.S. date yet. But we spent a lot of time together in Europe this summer, all four bands hanging out, and everybody is on the same page. Everybody wants to do more.?

http://www.timesleader.com/entertainment/Carnage_tour_shaking_up_Montage_10-03-2010.html

[cotis]

'Big 4' metal bands Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax to perform April 23 in Indio
Empire Polo Club will be only U.S. stop for groups, Goldenvoice promoter says

Four of the world?s top heavy metal bands are tentatively scheduled to perform April 23 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio ? during the one dark Saturday between the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals, it was announced today.

The Los Angeles-based Goldenvoice company told The Desert Sun in an exclusive interview it won a bid last weekend to present the only United States concert by the lineup of Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax.

The concert promoters are scheduled to present a proposal to the Indio City Council at 5 p.m today for permission to stage the concert from around 4 to 11 p.m. Indio Mayor Lupe Ramos Watson said Monday she plans to attend the show if the council approves a permit.

?I grew up in the time of Metallica,? she said. ?It?s an enjoyable experience.?

The tickets would be $99 plus fees and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday through Ticketmaster outlets.

Digitaldreamdoor.com ranks Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax as the four best thrash or speed metal bands, as distinguished from the broader genre of heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden. The foursome have been touring Europe as The Big 4 and were widely expected to perform a tour of the United States.

But Goldenvoice promoter Paul Tollett said this will be their only U.S. concert. He categorized winning the bid over other concert promoters as ?winning the lottery.?

Tollett was forced to move Stagecoach: California?s Country Music Festival back to April 30-May 1 because it would have ended on Easter Sunday if it had maintained its tradition of following the April 15-17 Coachella Music and Arts Festival at the polo field. It might have cost Goldenvoice millions of dollars to keep equipment rentals and security on the Empire Polo Club for three weeks, but now there will only have to be minor adjustments to sandwich a third major concert between the two festivals.

There won?t be camping and there probably will be fewer concertgoers for The Big 4.

Tollett refused to speculate how many people the metal bands might attract, but Metallica drew 50,000 people for its 2003 concert at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park. Goldenvoice plans to run a shuttle service from four or five locations around Southern California to the polo club. It also will run shuttles to and from major hotels in the east valley.

Last year?s Coachella festival drew 225,000 people over three days, and Stagecoach attracted more than 100,000 over two days.

The festival will give Coachella Valley hotels major tourism events for five consecutive weeks with the Dinah Shore Weekend starting the celebrations March 30-April 3. The White Party in Palm Springs is scheduled the next weekend.

Watson said she won?t know how neighbors of the Empire Polo Club will feel about three major concerts on three consecutive weekends until they?ve had a chance to be heard at today?s City Council meeting, but she said past festivals have created ?a very positive experience for everyone who lives in the area.?

?My personal feelings are that the events held at the polo fields are a big boost to the economy for the Coachella Valley as a whole, not just the city of Indio,? she said. ?If you collectively count all the festivals that are held at the polo grounds, we have over a million visitors to our Coachella Valley annually and that brings with it disposable cash that gets spent in our community (and) creates job opportunities for our residents in the Coachella Valley. So I see it as a very important part of this CV?s economy.?

LINK: http://www.mydesert.com/article/20110125/LIFESTYLES0101/110125003/Metallica-Megadeth-Slayer-Anthrax-perform-Indio?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage

[FunkyMonkey]

Scott Ian has posted a short video of Anthrax in the studio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzf0qAScnyQ

[Bodhi]

anyone check out Scott Ian's other band The Damned Things?

[FunkyMonkey]

anyone check out Scott Ian's other band The Damned Things?

He posted some footage of them as well.

The Damned Things at The Joint at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya-S2MJqzsk

[FunkyMonkey]

The Big 4
EXCLUSIVE Interview: Why Anthrax's Scott Ian Hates Coachella and Loves the Big 4
By Steve Appleford, Thu., Apr. 21 2011

Guitarist Scott Ian has been metal's No. 1 fan ever since his first whiff of Kiss back in the '70s. He's also been the one constant in every lineup of Anthrax, now one of the "Big 4" originators of thrash-metal set to land on the site of Coachella in Indio this Saturday.

While Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth have their roots in Southern California, it was Anthrax that represented the New York contingent of thrash. Now based in Los Angeles himself, Ian tells the LA Weekly in an exclusive interview why thrash outlasted hair-metal and why he's no fan of that other festival in the desert:

What are your expectations for the show?

There's going to be 50,000 kids there for one reason - to see the greatest metal show ever put together in the United States. Nobody is going to disappoint. I predict some of the physically biggest moshpits that have ever been seen will happen on April 23. Kids who aren't in such good shape are going to be in trouble. [Laughs]

This is taking place on the site of Coachella. Have you ever been to that festival?

I've never been, and I would never ever go. This is our own show. We just happened to be playing the same field that hosts that Silver Lake festival in the desert.

You have a problem with Coachella?

I'm just not a big fan of the too-cool-for-school indie world. Metal bands have never been invited or been able to be part of the cool kids, and I like it that way. I don't want to have anything to do with you, I don't like your music, I don't like your scene, I don't like your ironic mustaches, and I don't like your stupid hats. So go have your Coachella and take your drugs and see a bunch of shitty bands. Good for you.

What is thrash?
Thrash is smart. There's a lot of intelligence in the music, in the lyrics, in the business of all four bands. You got a bunch of smart dudes. Maybe we don't look like the smartest dudes in the world, but every one of these four bands has some really smart people in it - creatively, professionally. We all had a very strong vision.

There's going to be a lot of people in Indio. Is it still underground?
Metallica is like Coca-Cola. Strangely enough, obviously they are mainstream, but at the same time they're still a thrash-metal band. As big as Metallica are, they're still not like a pop act. As big as they are, they're still not U2 or Lady Gaga. It's still underground. It's still 50,000 people coming to a show for a fuckin' bunch of dudes playing really fast non-commercial music.

Why is it that three of the four original bands are from Southern California?

They had a lot to be pissed off at. We didn't have the hair metal thing going on in New York like they did here in L.A. in the '80s. We didn't have to fight against that to get gigs, where all the clubs would book were those lady bands. Not that there was a thrash scene in New York. There was nothing going on. But at least didn't have that against us at the time. Maybe three of the thrash bands formed here because there was more to hate.

There was no hair-metal in New York?
Not like out here. I don't like to call it "hair-metal" because there is nothing metal about it. It's not glam, because real glam to me was David Bowie and the New York Dolls. That stuff you had here in the '80s with guys dressing like ladies, I don't know what to call that. Maybe that's truly crossover - cross-dressing.

Are you surprised that it's thrash that turned out to be the big one from that era?

To be completely honest, yeah. Nobody gets into a band and thinks they're going to have a 30-year career. Every year goes by, and I can't believe it. But at the same time, all four of us always worked. Even at times when it went up and down like a rollercoaster, we were always a constant even if we weren't always massive. We really did just outlast everything. Therefore there will always be an audience for it. It so happens the audience is a lot bigger now.

What makes this the "classic" version of Anthrax? You've had some high points with different lineups.
It's the band that people discovered Anthrax on in general. Granted, we have a lot of new fans that didn't get into the band until the 90s or the 2000s, but they all go back and get the catalog. You just see it from playing the songs live. No matter who's ever been in this band, the biggest songs in this band's career are off of [1987's] Among the Living. That's the album. That defines what this band is about.

What was the Big 4 tour like last year in Europe?
It was like a huge hang. It was like summer camp. We loved being there and the fucking crowds were losing their minds over it. Metallica are where they are for many reasons. One of them is that they run an extremely well-oiled ship. It's like a military operation. When they do something, they do it right.

What did you like about Metallica musically when you first met them in 1983?

They were like Motorhead-times-10. It was the most intense thing. There was nothing more intense than Metallica at that time.

You witnessed some dramatic moments when the band was in New York for the first time to record an album.
Everything back then looks so pretty when I look back now. Other than the accident with Cliff [Burton], there's no outstanding negativity when I think about those days. When I was in it, it wasn't like we were just out raging, having fun and drinking beer and killing posers every day. We were working our asses off and working jobs and rehearsing every night. We were doing everything we could to try and make it, looking at it from every angle and every possibility.

You were there when Dave Mustaine was suddenly out.
Anthrax rehearsed and then I was up in their room hanging out and watching them jam and went home. I came back the next day, and Cliff was standing out front smoking a cigarette. I said, "Hey, what's up, Cliff?" He goes, "Oh, not much. We fired Dave today. He's on a Greyhound bus on his way back to California." I go, "Yeah, right."   I go upstairs, and I see Lars [Ulrich] and James [Hetfield], and they said "It's true, we sent Dave home." I'm like, "Holy shit! What are we gonna do? We have gigs in two weeks!" We were playing some shows together, and they're, "We already have this guy Kirk from this band Exodus." Holy shit. Well, what happened? And they're, "Well, we woke him up before he could realize what was going on and we put him on a bus." It felt like their whole plan was to get him out of there before he realized what was going on. He would have been out of it and hung over.

When did you see Mustaine again?
It was our first tour of the states and we were playing the County Cub in Reseda in the summer of '84, and Mustaine and [David] Ellefson both came to the shows. Dave had demos for the Killing is My Business record and he was so excited to play them for me. We hadn't seen each other since he was fired from Metallica in late '83, so it was super-exciting to see him.
I remember sitting in somebody's car in the parking lot of the Country Club, and he was playing me the demos off that record, and I was blown away. He gets fired from this band, and Metallica weren't huge by any means in the summer of '84, but they were certainly off and running. And he had to start over again, and you could tell right away that he wasn't going to have any problem starting over again. He had already written a killer record.

How as doing "Am I Evil?" with the bands onstage together in Sofia, Bulgaria?

I'm still there. I never left. It really was a magical moment. It was a really amazingly intense, wonderful, fun, beautiful, heavy, crazy moment and culmination of all 30 years of work. It was really mindblowing to look to my left and see Dave [Mustaine], and look to my right and see James. I couldn't even feel my hands.

Will there be anything like that this time?
I hope so. Nobody has said anything yet. I've heard rumors.

http://blogs.laweekly.com/westcoastsound/2011/04/anthrax_guitarist_hates_coache.php

[FunkyMonkey]

ANTHRAX: 'Worship Music' Details Revealed - June 7, 2011

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159101

@scott_ian Charlie played us some new tunes at GW today. Heavy as fuck!! Album art is sick too...at least what I could see on the iPod...

19 hours ago via web

[Ali]

ANTHRAX: 'Worship Music' Details Revealed - June 7, 2011

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159101

@scott_ian Charlie played us some new tunes at GW today. Heavy as fuck!! Album art is sick too...at least what I could see on the iPod...

19 hours ago via web

Who tweeted that?

Ali

[FunkyMonkey]

ANTHRAX: 'Worship Music' Details Revealed - June 7, 2011

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159101

@scott_ian Charlie played us some new tunes at GW today. Heavy as fuck!! Album art is sick too...at least what I could see on the iPod...

19 hours ago via web

Who tweeted that?

Ali

Sorry, Josh Hart, writer for Guitar World.

[FunkyMonkey]

Worship Music mastering/sequencing begins.The final step!!! We've worked so hard on this over the last year and to hear it finished is huge!

26 minutes ago via web

http://twitter.com/#!/Scott_Ian/status/85370025501917184

[FunkyMonkey]

Exclusive: Anthrax Premiere New Song, "The Devil You Know"

Posted 08/08/2011

http://www.guitarworld.com/exclusive-anthrax-premiere-new-song-devil-you-know

[FunkyMonkey]

9/10: Anthrax's Scott Ian on 'Worship Music,' Big Four

Sept. 6, 2011

Q: You mentioned the show at Yankee Stadium. You were one of the Big Four of thrash with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. When Metallica crossed over like they did, was there any thought in the Anthrax camp like "We could do that; we could be the next ones to have that big crossover like they did"?

Scott Ian: I never thought that way. Metallica just made a record that connected with humanity. Right place, right time, right album. I don't see it as them doing anything different. They were just being Metallica. That's like saying when Guns N' Roses put out "Appetite for Destruction," they crossed over. No. People just connected with the record. It could have been any Metallica record. As far as I'm concerned, it could have been "Master of Puppets." It could have been "Justice." It was just kind of the right place at the right time, I think. And no, we never thought like we could do the same thing, because you can't, you know? If you tried to do something, you would just fail miserably. You either write songs that just come organically or you shouldn't be in a band.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/music/articles/2011/09/06/20110906anthrax-interview-scott-ian-worship-music-metallica.html#ixzz1XHjLVjik

[FunkyMonkey]

Anthrax's Scott Ian: Take Away Illegal Downloaders' Internet Privileges

Nov. 2 2011

Do you think a lot of your fans in fact stole the record, or --

I don't think; I know they did. It's the way it works these days. People can get the records for free, whether they're an actual fan or just a casual person who just wants to check something out. It's not a case of going out and checking out music. Now you can steal it, because the internet makes that possible for people. People have this sense of entitlement now where they think music is free, and that's the way it is, whether or not they even realize they're stealing it.

Before the internet, the only way to steal music was to walk into a music store and physically walk out with something, and you were stealing, and you knew it. You knew, unless you're a fucking maniac, that there was a consequence. If you got caught, you were going to get in trouble.

On the internet, there is no consequence for stealing. Nobody gets in trouble for stealing music; nobody gets in trouble for stealing movies. Illegal downloading has no consequence. So until there is a consequence, it's going to happen more and more and more, and people are going to see less and less original and good content from the record industry and movie industry.

I've noticed you've gone back and forth on Twitter with some people making a devil's advocate argument that --

There is no argument. I'm not even going to get into that conversation. You're stealing! It's stealing -- that's what it is. It's not free for us to make these records. These records are on sale in many, many places where you can pay your money to buy the product that we are selling. Anything outside of that is stealing. There is no conversation to be had.

There's no, "Well, I just wanted to check it out, and then I liked it so I bought the record." I don't give a fuck. It's stealing. Everyone can say that, "I just wanted to check it out" or "There's no way for me to get music where I live." That's bullshit. It's fucking bullshit! I've been doing this for way too long. I sold records in the '80s and '90s before there was an internet, and no one seemed to have a problem going out and buying a shit ton of records back then. The whole record industry has collapsed because people are stealing. That's the end of the story.

Do you think that you would have to tour less or do things differently if people were buying more and stealing less? In other words, have you had to change your business model as a band to account for it?

No. We've always been a touring band, even in the '80s, from day one, that's what we do. If anything, that side of it -- because you still can't steal a ticket to come see us. That side of it is still there for us, because you can't replicate a live show. I don't care how many videos you watch on YouTube, it's not the same as being there. Thank God for that.

What do you think the consequence should be for illegal downloading?

You lose your internet. That's it, no more internet for you. Seriously! Like you drive drunk, you lose the privilege of driving. You download illegally, you lose the privilege of having the internet. The punishment fits the crime. Why these service providers don't stop the torrent sites and put a consequence on this, I have no idea. Everybody complains about the trillions of dollars being lost, but nobody does anything about it. Believe me, if I could do something about it, I would.

Some service providers are starting to send cease-and-desist letters, but it seems like they have to get subpoenaed by the RIAA first.

You know what, until the person sitting behind their laptop, downloading free music and movies and porn, until that person -- OK, picture this. Picture the guy just sitting at his laptop downloading all this free shit, and all of a sudden his connection goes off. He's off the internet, and he starts pushing buttons and checks his Wi-Fi and all that, and all of a sudden he's not connected anymore.

That's when it will stop, when people actually know that there will be a consequence for what they're doing. Throwing people in jail isn't the answer, and even fining them and all that, I don't think that's the answer either. Just stop their access, because these people live on the internet, and that's all they care about. So stop their internet access and they'll stop stealing.

http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/countygrind/2011/11/qa_anthraxs_scott_ian_on_worsh.php