Anthrax fans eagerly awaiting new music have reason to be optimistic, as vocalist Joey Belladonna recently offered a promising update on the band’s long-anticipated follow-up to their 2016 album, For All Kings. In a new interview with Chicago’s Rebel Radio 92.5 FM, Belladonna confirmed significant progress on the recording, though a release timeline remains unconfirmed.
“You know what? I finished the vocals,” Belladonna stated (as transcribed by Blabbermouth), expressing his satisfaction with his contribution. “I’m really happy with what I’ve done. And the band sounds great on the record.”
While the creative work is largely complete on their end, the record is still in the latter stages of production. “As far as I know right now, we’re still finishing up a few things. We’re not even mixing yet, so at this point I’d be just speculating [about a possible release date].” Despite the lack of a firm date, Belladonna conveyed confidence: “Obviously, things are going in the right form and the timing is right. So, all good. I’m happy. You’re gonna love it.”
This upcoming album sees Anthrax once again collaborating with producer Jay Ruston, who previously helmed For All Kings and their 2011 release, Worship Music. Furthermore, Anthrax bassist Frank Bello was reportedly back at Dave Grohl‘s Studio 606 in Northridge, California, last November, laying down bass tracks for the new effort.
Belladonna also reflected on Anthrax‘s recent appearance at the “Back To The Beginning” charity event at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Anthrax performed a two-song set for the occasion, which included a dynamic cover of Black Sabbath‘s “Into The Void.” The singer described the atmosphere of the all-star gathering in glowing terms. “Yeah. It was magic. I felt like we were all in our own little fun bubble,” he shared. Drawing a comparison to iconic benefit concerts, he added, “It was like Live Aid or something for [the heavy metal genre] or something. And not to compare anything, but just shows when you get everybody together and do something [for a good cause]. It’s the first [time] I’ve ever really been [involved] with something that great, especially with metal and Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. [It was] amazing.”
However, the selection of Black Sabbath‘s cover for the tribute set was not without its internal challenges. When queried about the absence of “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath“—a song Anthrax had previously recorded a studio version of—Belladonna indicated a degree of frustration. “Yeah, we wanted [to play] that [song], and then, believe me, there was a lot of shuffling and hustling,” he revealed. The process of choosing a suitable track proved unexpectedly complicated. “And just picking a song was kind of very exhausting. And finally we came up with ‘Into The Void,’ and I said, ‘Guys, this is the one I gotta pick for now. And let’s just roll, ’cause it’s getting late.’ [But], yeah, I would’ve loved to have done ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath‘… It’s politics bullcr*p. That’s all right.”
With a career spanning five decades, Anthrax has cemented its legacy in heavy metal. The band boasts 11 studio albums, multiple gold and platinum certifications, and six Grammy nominations. Since 1984, they’ve played thousands of shows worldwide, headlining venues like Madison Square Garden and even performing at Yankee Stadium as part of the “Big Four.”
Their album For All Kings was critically acclaimed by some as Anthrax‘s strongest release yet. This followed a significant five-year period of resurgence for the group, which began with their participation in the “Big Four” tour and continued with the release of their comeback LP, Worship Music.
Photo Credit: Jimmy Hubbard
