There are few stories in heavy metal as tumultuous as the relationship between the band members of Anthrax. From the band’s origins, a steady lineup has always been a touchy issue, as a veritable “family tree” took root that constantly threatened the stability of the band. However, Anthrax persevered, and while people eventually took sides over which members they preferred in the lineup over another, ultimately it was Anthrax’s decision to make.
Now we are in 2011, and Anthrax is a year into its rekindled relationship with vocalist Joey Belladonna. The band completed a mini-tour with the “Big 4” alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer, and is reaching the conclusion of a North American trek with Testament! The new album, WORSHIP MUSIC has been heralded across the board as a landmark achievement in 21st century metal.
We were fortunately enough to score a few minutes with Belladonna to get his take on the amplified interest in Anthrax!
The press has overwhelmingly embraced WORSHIP MUSIC as one of the pinnacle albums of 2011. Do you think that has something to do with your contribution or do you chalk it up to the evolution of the band?
I just think we came up with a good record that people dig. I don’t know if it’s because of me or not. I thought we were doing fine before I left. I just shrug my shoulders thinking that all that time, I thought everything was cool. I know that not many people want to look back with the “we coulda, we shoulda” business, but it seems to have worked out in the end, fortunately.
Well, I’m sure there is a school of fans out there that feel the same way; who fell off when you left and came back with you.
I think a lot of people were cool with everything. What are you going to do? I wasn’t able to be there in the band anymore, so what else could I do? I’m just glad that people dug what I did and are happy that I’m back in the band. And even if they like someone else’s singing, I think I can wind it all up into something bigger and better; which is what we’re doing right now anyhow.
I’m not here to compare; I just do what I do and hope for the best. I don’t look around to find people to try to impress. It’s just nice to have an original sound and be able to achieve that and have people like it.
Well, you do have one of those iconic voices where a part of the Anthrax element was lost when you left.
That’s how I feel, too. And that’s what I think people were missing. And regardless if Anthrax (the band) thought that I wasn’t “the guy” for them, I know it’s all a matter of opinion. But yeah, I think I have a distinctive sound. I remember listening to SPREADING THE DISEASE going “wow, this is how I sound?” I never anticipated that, but that’s how things flowed.
And now, I think I have more accessibility to be able to sing different styles of music; I’m very versatile. And I think that comes through on WORSHIP MUSIC. You just have to keep it real, and that’s what I try to do every day. You just know when you hear it.
How much did you enjoy those Big 4 shows?
Oh, they were awesome! They’re as big as they get! It’s just a great place to be with great bands and good friendships. But sometimes, those days just end too quickly.
Are you keeping your solo work going simultaneously?
Oh yeah, I am in a much better situation now with that. I also have a cover band going [Chief Big Way], where we do all sorts of classic stuff – Triumph, Rush, Deep Purple, Journey, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyd…all that stuff! And yeah, Belladonna is now a four-piece, but we’re in a bit of downtime, as I am so busy with Anthrax right now. So, I’ve been doing the cover thing on the weekends.
Were you surprised by the overwhelming response to WORSHIP MUSIC?
Yeah, I was very surprised. I had some anticipation of it being well-received. I mean, as it grew on me, I said, “man, I think we really have something here!” When I hear the song and I hear me singing it; it just seems to work. I really think we put a lot of good songs on this one that worked well. That’s how I know, even with my own writing when I’m on to something good. It just clicks in your head. I know music, and I feel good about judging the song, and I’m usually pretty close to being right as to whether or not people are going to like it.
Is there a distinction in your mind between how a fan will react to a song in his home versus how a crowd will react in a theater?
Well, when you finish a song, you really don’t know until you play it live if it is going to get a crowd response. However, a song like “In My World” never really went over with the crowd as well as “Antisocial,” but if I did a survey, people would probably say it was great.
Certain songs just don’t give you an immediate response. I mean, if people aren’t in the pit or singing along, it doesn’t mean that they don’t like it. I really try not to think in those terms, if we feel like playing a song, we’ll play it; I can’t be conscious if it is going to score the big sing-along or not. We just do it!
Grab a copy of WORSHIP MUSIC, available now at Amazon and Amazon Digital.
Keep up with Anthrax on Facebook, Twitter, and at its official website.
And keep up with Joey Belladonna at his official website.
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