Belladonna and Anthrax: Together Again
This news makes me very happy. Blabbermouth is reporting Joey Belladonna has rejoined Anthrax. The vocalist has officially joined his former mates and will be on stage with them during their upcoming European tour, with fellow metal bands, Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. Talk about a potent line up!
Belladonna will be taking the stage with drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello, and guitarists Rob Caggiano and Scott Ian. This is very nearly the classic lineup that I fell in love with back in the 1980's. The only missing piece is guitarist Danny Spitz. I look forward to hearing what they have in store for us. I know the chemistry is still there, based on the reunion tour with Judas Priest a few years back.
Anthrax is one of those touchstone bands I always come back to. Their albums through the 1980's are like comfort food, while also being aggressive pieces of thrash metal. It is hard not to get into albums like Among the Living, State of Euphoria, and Persistence of Time, as well as, earlier efforts like Spreading the Disease, and Armed and Dangerous.
This announcement comes on the heels of a questionable period which found the band without a singer. Once the the 2005 reunion run, with both Belladonna and Spitz, came to an end there was much speculation about the band's future. Belladonna parted with the band and singer Dan Nelson came into the fold. They arrived to the point of recording an album with him before the relationship soured. Then John Bush (who replaced Belladonna back in the early 90's) was coming back after he had reunited with his prior band, Armored Saint. However, that did not last as Bush was not keen on re-recording Nelson's lyrics. That brings us to now.
Who knows if this reunion will last, there always seems to be some sort of drama floating around these guys. I have enjoyed both the Bush and Belladonna eras, seeing both lineups live. I have also seen Joey solo and had the opportunity to hang out with him, a very nice guy who truly loves the music. Time will tell where they go, but as a devoted fan, I am hoping for the best.
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