Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City. Formed in 1981, the group was originally a foursome consisting of guitarist Scott Ian, bassist Dan Lilker and drummer Dave Weiss. The band has been through many personnel changes, and currently includes rhythm guitarist Scott Ian, drummer Charlie Benante (since 1983), bassist Frank Bello (since 1984), vocalist Joey Belladonna (who first joined in 1984) and lead guitarist Jonathan Donais (since 2013).
Anthrax was originally formed in 1981 by Scott Ian, Dan Lilker and Dave Weiss. A few months later, John Connelly and Paul Kahn took over on vocals and bass, respectively, and Lilker switched to rhythm guitar. [1] [2] The band went through many lineup changes in its early stages – Connelly was replaced by Dirk Kennedy, followed by Ian's brother Jason Rosenfeld, then Tommy Wise; Greg Walls spent two years with the group on lead guitar (Ian switched to rhythm guitar), followed briefly by Bob Berry; Kahn was replaced by Kenny Kushner, before Lilker took over on bass when Walls joined; and Weiss was replaced by Greg D'Angelo. [2] The band eventually settled in 1983 with a lineup including Ian and Lilker, lead vocalist Neil Turbin (who joined in August 1982), [3] drummer Charlie Benante and lead guitarist Dan Spitz. [4]
After signing with Jon Zazula's new thrash metal label Megaforce Records later in the year, Anthrax recorded its debut album Fistful of Metal . [4] Shortly after its January 1984 release, Turbin fired Lilker without consulting with the other members of the band, although Ian has since admitted that "there were issues" with the bassist. [5] He was replaced by Frank Bello (Benante's nephew). [6] Tensions continued to grow between Turbin and the rest of the group as they toured throughout 1984, leading to his eventual departure in August. [3] [7] Turbin was briefly replaced by Matt Fallon, before Joey Belladonna joined later in the year. [8] After recording four studio albums with the band, Belladonna was fired from Anthrax in 1992 due to stylistic changes the group intended to take, with John Bush taking his place. [9]
Dan Spitz left Anthrax in 1995 to become a professional watchmaker. [10] Guitars on Stomp 442 were recorded by Ian, Benante, Paul Crook and Pantera's Dimebag Darrell. [11] Crook remained with Anthrax for touring and recording after the release of Stomp 442, although never became an official member. [12] He was replaced in August 2001 by former Boiler Room guitarist Rob Caggiano. [13] Bello briefly left in March 2004, with Joey Vera temporarily taking his place. [14] It was announced in September 2005 that Spitz, Bello and Belladonna would return to Anthrax for a reunion tour and potentially new recordings. [15] Alive 2 was recorded on the tour, but by January 2007 the reunion had fallen through as Belladonna had reportedly chosen not to continue working with the other members. [16]
By the end of 2007, the group had enlisted Dan Nelson as its new lead vocalist and brought back Caggiano. [17] However, after recording a new album with the band, Nelson left in July 2009 and was replaced for future tour dates by Bush. [18] Belladonna returned to Anthrax the following year, making his first appearance at June's "big four" show and re-recording vocals on the album Worship Music . [19] Caggiano left the band in January 2013, [20] with Shadows Fall lead guitarist Jon Donais taking his place a week later. [21]
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Ian | 1981–present |
| all Anthrax releases | |
| Charlie Benante | 1983–present |
| ||
| Frank Bello |
|
| all Anthrax releases from Armed and Dangerous (1985) onwards | |
| Joey Belladonna |
| lead vocals |
| |
| Jonathan Donais | 2013–present |
|
|
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Lilker | 1981–1984 (touring 2024) [22] |
| Fistful of Metal (1984) | |
| David Weiss | 1981 | drums | none | |
| John Connelly | lead vocals | |||
| Paul Kahn | bass | |||
| Kenny Kushner | ||||
| Dirk Kennedy | 1981 | lead vocals | ||
| Greg Walls | 1981–1983 | lead guitar | Fistful of Metal (1984) uncredited songwriting | |
| Greg D'Angelo | 1981–1983 | drums | Fistful of Metal (1984) one track only | |
| Jason Rosenfeld | 1981–1982 | lead vocals | none | |
| Tommy Wise | 1982 | |||
| Neil Turbin | 1982–1984 | Fistful of Metal (1984) | ||
| Bob Berry | 1983 | lead guitar | none | |
| Dan Spitz |
|
|
| |
| Matt Fallon | 1984 | lead vocals | none | |
| John Bush |
| all Anthrax releases from Sound of White Noise (1993) to The Greater of Two Evils (2004) | ||
| Rob Caggiano |
|
|
| |
| Dan Nelson | 2007–2009 | lead vocals | none – songwriting credits only |
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Crook | 1995–2000 |
| Crook joined the band as Dan Spitz's guitar tech in 1989, he took on live guitar duties after Spitz's departure in 1995. [23] [24] He played lead guitar on select tracks on Stomp 442 (1995) and Volume 8: The Threat Is Real (1998) the latter of which he co-produced. He also served as an understudy in 2022. [25] | |
| Dave Sabo | 2000 | Sabo toured with Anthrax during 2000, when regular guitarist Crook was touring with Sebastian Bach. [26] | ||
| Joey Vera |
|
| Vera toured with Anthrax after Bello's departure in 2004, [14] [27] and again in 2008 and 2012. [28] [29] | |
| Jason Bittner |
| drums | Bittner first filled in for Benante on the final two shows of the "Among the Living" lineup reunion tour in January 2006 when Benante's daughter was born, [30] and two more in February 2012. [31] Bittner also did the entire summer 2012 Rockstar Mayhem tour and subsequent fall 2012 tour until Benante returned in October after another battle with Carpal tunnel. [32] | |
| Andreas Kisser | 2011 |
| Kisser substituted for Ian at eleven shows in July 2011, following the birth of the founding guitarist's first child. [33] | |
| Gene Hoglan |
| drums | Hoglan filled in for Benante, who was spending time with his terminally ill mother, at shows in January 2012. [34] He filled in again in 2018 when Benante was forced to take a break from touring due to his carpal tunnel syndrome. [35] | |
| Jon Dette |
| Dette has substituted for Benante on various tours between November 2012 and May 2017. [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] Dette filled in for Benante again in 2018 when Benante was forced to take a break from touring due to his carpal tunnel syndrome. [41] | ||
| Derek Roddy |
| Roddy substituted for Benante in 2023 for medical reasons. [42] |
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline of earlier lineups unclear | ||
| April 1982 |
| none |
| September 1983 – early 1984 |
|
|
| Early – August 1984 |
| none |
| Late 1984 |
| |
| Late 1984 – late 1992 |
|
|
| Late 1992 – early 1995 |
|
|
| Early 1995 – August 2001 |
|
|
| August 2001 – March 2004 |
|
|
| March 2004 – September 2005 |
| none |
| September 2005 – January 2007 |
|
|
| December 2007 – July 2009 |
| none |
| September 2009 – May 2010 |
| |
| May 2010 – January 2013 |
|
|
| January 2013 – present |
|
|
Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by rhythm guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. The group is considered one of the leaders of the thrash metal scene from the 1980s and is part of the "Big Four" of the genre, along with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. They were also one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast. The band's current lineup consists of Scott Ian, drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello, vocalist Joey Belladonna and lead guitarist Jonathan Donais. Anthrax's lineup has changed numerous times over their career, leaving Ian as the only constant member of the band. Ian and Benante are the only two members to appear on all of Anthrax's albums, while Bello has been a member of Anthrax since 1984, replacing Lilker.
Fistful of Metal is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax, released in January 1984 by Megaforce Records and Music for Nations internationally. The album includes a cover of Alice Cooper's "I'm Eighteen". This is the band's only album to feature vocalist Neil Turbin and original bassist Dan Lilker, who were replaced by Matt Fallon and Frank Bello, respectively. Former original guitarist Greg Walls claims that Anthrax "ripped him off" as he claims he wrote the material on the album.
Spreading the Disease is the second studio album by the American thrash metal band Anthrax. It was the band's first album to feature vocalist Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello. A special two-disc edition of the album was released in 2015, celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Armed and Dangerous is the first EP by American heavy metal band Anthrax, released in February 1985 through Megaforce Records. The band produced the album with Carl Canedy and Jon Zazula acting as executive producer. This is the first Anthrax release to feature Joey Belladonna on vocals, and the first Anthrax release to feature Frank Bello on bass guitar.
Among the Living is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released on March 16, 1987, by Megaforce Records in the US and by Island Records in the rest of the world. The album is dedicated to Cliff Burton of Metallica, who died in a bus accident six months before its release while Metallica were on tour with Anthrax as the opening act.
State of Euphoria is the fourth studio album by the American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released on September 19, 1988, through Megaforce/Island Records.
Persistence of Time is the fifth studio album by the American thrash metal band Anthrax. It was released on August 21, 1990, through Megaforce Worldwide/Island Records and was nominated in 1991 for a Grammy Award in the Best Metal Performance category.
Attack of the Killer B's is a compilation album of B-sides, covers and rarities by the thrash metal band Anthrax and the band's last audio E.P. released before vocalist John Bush replaced longtime Anthrax vocalist Joey Belladonna in 1992. The album was released in June 1991 by Megaforce Worldwide/Island Entertainment. The "B's" in the album's title refers to b-sides previously unreleased and compiled for a single release. In 1992 the album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Metal Performance.
Sound of White Noise is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax, released in May 1993 by Elektra Records. It is the band's first album to feature vocalist John Bush, who replaced longtime frontman Joey Belladonna in 1992, and the last studio album with longtime lead guitarist Dan Spitz. It was also the second album Bush worked on with producer Dave Jerden.
Live: The Island Years is Anthrax's first full-length live album. The album was released in 1994 by Megaforce Worldwide/Island Entertainment. As it is a live album, there were no new singles. The album features vocalist Joey Belladonna, who had been replaced in the band two years earlier by John Bush.
Stormtroopers of Death was an American crossover thrash band formed in New York City in 1985. They are credited as being amongst the first groups to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal into a style often referred to as crossover thrash. The band is also known for reuniting Anthrax members, guitarist Scott Ian and drummer Charlie Benante, with their former bassist Dan Lilker. Their instrumental song "The Milano Mosh" from their 1985 debut album, Speak English or Die, was the Headbangers Ball intro anthem for many years. Another song from the same album, "Chromatic Death", was also used during the show as a segue between ads and videos.
Daniel Adam Lilker is an American musician best known as a bass player, but also guitarist, pianist, drummer and vocalist. He has played bass in numerous heavy metal bands, including Anthrax, Nuclear Assault, S.O.D. and Holy Moses, and grindcore bands Brutal Truth and Exit-13.
The Greater of Two Evils is an album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released in November 2004 via Sanctuary and is the last Anthrax release prior to the band's reunion with Joey Belladonna and guitarist Dan Spitz.
Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985–1991) is a greatest hits compilation of songs by the band Anthrax, which is centered on the 2005 Among the Living line-up reunion which includes current vocalist Joey Belladonna and former guitarist Dan Spitz. This release features only songs from the band's Joey Belladonna-era studio output, which began with Armed and Dangerous and ended with Attack of the Killer B's. Therefore, no songs from Fistful of MetalSound of White Noise, Stomp 442, Volume 8: The Threat Is Real or We've Come for You All are included on this video compilation.
Return of the Killer A's is a compilation / best of album by American heavy metal band Anthrax, released in 1999.
Volbeat are a Danish rock band formed in Copenhagen in 2001. They play a fusion of rock and roll and heavy metal. Their current line-up consists of vocalist and rhythm guitarist Michael Poulsen, drummer Jon Larsen, and bassist Kaspar Boye Larsen. The band is signed to Dutch label Mascot Records and has released eight studio albums and one DVD. Their second album Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil received platinum status, and their 2010 release Beyond Hell/Above Heaven was subject to widespread international critical acclaim, receiving triple platinum in Denmark and Austria, double platinum in Sweden, platinum in Canada, 5x Gold in Germany, and gold in both Finland and the United States. Volbeat's most recent studio album, Servant of the Mind, was released in 2021.
Worship Music is the tenth studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. The album was released on September 12, 2011, internationally, and on September 13 in the United States. It was the band's first album of original material since 2003's We've Come for You All, the first full-length Anthrax album since the return of longtime vocalist Joey Belladonna, and the final album with guitarist Rob Caggiano prior to his departure in January 2013.
Anthems is the sixth EP by American thrash metal band Anthrax. It was released on March 19, 2013 through Megaforce Records in North America, and three days later in Europe by Nuclear Blast. This was the group's last release to feature lead guitarist Rob Caggiano, who left the band subsequently. The record features cover songs from some of the band's favorite acts of the 1970s, along with two versions of "Crawl", a song from their previous studio album, Worship Music.
For All Kings is the eleventh studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax, released on February 26, 2016. It is the band's first studio album to feature Jon Donais on lead guitar, replacing Rob Caggiano. The album artwork was designed by Alex Ross.
Jonathan Dette is an American heavy metal drummer best known for his time in Slayer and Testament. Over the years, he has also been chosen to fill-in with Anthrax, Heathen, Iced Earth, and Volbeat. Dette also played with Evildead and Impellitteri for several years.
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