ANTHRAX – THE METAL PHOENIX RISES 

Although long considered as one of greatest thrash metal bands of all time Anthrax have been in the wars of late. Mark Hebblewhite sat down with long-time drummer and creative force Charlie Benante to try and cut through the rumours, distortions and lies that have sullied the legendary group’s name. Is there a future for the iconic thrashers? Or has the soap opera destroyed not only their legacy but their future prospects? Here’s what was found out. 

“From the beginning I should say that I can’t get into the meat and potatoes of the situation with Dan Nelson. I wish I could but I can’t.” 

Benante is obviously on edge. He has been asked nothing but questions about Dan Nelson ever since the drama went down six months ago. For those of you who haven’t been following the high school like dramas: here’s a quick overview.  

2004 – Anthrax decide to reunite with vocalist Joey Belladonna for what is billed as the Among the Living tour. Their then vocalist John Bush is understandably peeved and declines to rejoin the band when the inevitable parting of the ways occurred with Belladonna in early 2007. Enter one Dan Nelson – a virtual unknown who was asked to step up to the big leagues. For a while things go well. The band tour and finish a new record with Nelson that insiders cite as a return to form.  

Then came the bombshell. Earlier this year Nelson, depending on who you talk to, either leaves or gets kicked out of the band. Contradictory press statements and Facebook updates fly with the consequence being that Anthrax have a new album in the bag, tentatively titled Worship Music, but no singer. As it now turns out John Bush has re-entered the fold, but Nelson’s bitter departure remains clouded in mystery. And Benante isn’t that inclined to completely solve the conundrum. 

“All I can say is that we tried and tried with Dan but in the end it didn’t work out,” he reluctantly offers. “Let’s just put it like this some people just aren’t suited to this business and that’s all there is to it. We put so much time and effort in with that line-up I wish it could have had a happier ending. But it didn’t so there you go. Now we’re just looking forward to moving on.”  

Although reticent to talk about the past, Benante is more than comfortable talking about where the legendary thrashers plan to go from here. 

“Well I can confirm that we’ll be back in the studio with John Bush and continuing the sessions we started for the new record,” says Benante. “Basically we’ll be re-working what we already have and adding a little bit of new stuff. Most of the album was written with John in mind anyway- so it’s not a really big deal. On the lyrical front, they’ll be re-worked as well.” 

“If you liked We Have Come For You All, you’ll love Worship Music,” he continues. “Some of the music on the new record was actually left over from the sessions for that album so it really will be a natural successor.” 

Anthrax are obviously keen to leave their recent fractured past behind them. But in this age of internet leaks surely the band is worried about the past coming to bite them in their metal behinds? 

“You mean leaks of the Nelson session? Nah I’m not worried about that at all. Only six people have the results so if it comes out anywhere we know exactly where it came from.” 

Benante’s defiance is a sign of how proud Anthrax both of their legacy

and their viability as an ongoing concern. But this doesn’t mean they are blind to past mistakes and regret is present in his voice. 

“You know I don’t regret doing the reunion tour with Joey but I have to admit that the timing wasn’t great,” says Benante. “We shouldn’t have listened to certain people and I guess we paid the price for doing that.” 

“What I do regret though is John leaving the band in the first place – that should never have happened. When we got together again earlier this year to play a couple of gigs we just sounded so amazing, and because of all the bullshit I feel we lost some time. But you know, whatever, the new stuff with John sounds absolutely killer and I think our fans are really going to enjoy it.”

As Benante describes it Worship Music should be yet another classic Anthrax LP. Not least of its appeal is a moniker that evokes a religious message. Has Anthrax found god? 

“Not exactly,” laughs Benante, “but in an odd way you are sort of close. One day I woke up at 5am or something and couldn’t sleep. I switched on the tv and there was a religious show on called ‘worship music’. And something clicked – my church is music, it’s what I’ve done most of my life. And I also listen to music religiously – everything from metal through to Queen, Genesis and Dave Matthews. I guess this is my religion.” 

As a veteran of the music game Benante has seen metal fads come and go, but I wondered if one of the latest trends, neo-thrash, had caught his imagination. Turns out he’s quite proud.   

“Man I really love those new bands,” comes the enthusiastic reply. “It’s like this. When I go to a Kiss concert I see an audience that is aged six to sixty. That’s what I want for thrash metal as well. The new generation coming along and respecting what’s gone before them but adding their own twist. It’s really cool to see. I have to admit that things like Guitar hero and Rockband have lent a hand in all this. But whatever has caused it I’m just glad that a lot of kids have stopped wearing their pants down around their ankles and going ‘yo..yo..yo’. Anything that does that gets my tick of approval.  

Finally, what of Benante’s other project – the infamous muck raking crossover outfit S.O.D. With the last thing from S.O.D. being 2007’s Rise of the Infidels are the band due to reconvene and cause more mayhem? Will Sargeant D ride again and offend..well, everyone?  

Sadly, the answer seems to be no.   

“I don’t think so” is all Benante will say on the topic of S.O.D. painting the town red. In fact he says it twice – which seems to indicate that S.O.D are D.O.A. And this time it’s for good.  

Sorry.