Ruben Mosqueda of Oregon Music News recently conducted an interview with ANTHRAX guitarist Rob Caggiano. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Oregon Music News: When singer Joey Belladona and guitarist Dan Spitz reunited with ANTHRAX in 2005, how hard was it for you to step aside?

Caggiano: That was a weird time. I didn't understand what was going on, to be honest. I don't think that [former ANTHRAX singer] John [Bush] knew what was going on either. That was basically sprung on us. I think that needed to happen and ANTHRAX needed to go down that road. I've said this in interviews before: I think that things happen for a reason. I think this band needed to get through all that stuff that it's been through to get where we are today, you know what I mean?

Oregon Music News: While out of the band for that period of time you stayed busy with other things.

Caggiano: Yeah, I did. I dove into my production career. I did a bunch of records. In fact, I recorded an album with CRADLE OF FILTH that was nominated for a Grammy. As you know, I've been producing and writing for years; I just like making music — I like making noise. When that ANTHRAX reunion went down, I shifted gears and went down a different road for a little bit.

Oregon Music News: The reunion worked its course you found yourself back in ANTHRAX. You had a new singer briefly and then Joey came back. You must be absolutely stoked to be a part of this.

Caggiano: I think it's great. Joey's sounding pretty good and we're proud of the new album. A lot of hard work, blood, sweat, and tears went into that record. I think that Joey coming back into the band is the best thing that could have happened to ANTHRAX.

Oregon Music News: Apparently you've recorded some covers over the course of the past few months. There's been speculation that you'll release either an EP or use the covers for an expanded version of "Worship Music". Is there any truth to this? And what is the intended use for these songs?

Caggiano: To be totally honest with you, I have no idea! [laughs] There's been talk back and forth. There has been talk of them being used for a re-release of the album or an EP or something else. I really don't know. We do have various tunes that are in various stages of completion. They are very cool and they all sound killer. They are bands that inspired us over the years. It's definitely cool. ANTHRAX doing cover songs has always been part of what ANTHRAX does. We have two covers in the set right now with "Got The Time" and "Anti-Social".

Oregon Music News: Not to go into details, but how is drummer Charlie Benante doing?

Caggiano: I just saw Charlie the other day; he seems to be doing well. As you know, he went through some weird stuff. He hurt his hand and some other crappy stuff happened. [Charlie and his wife were arrested on July 27 in Indiana for domestic battery in front of a child. — Ed.] He's hanging in there.

Oregon Music News: So at this point is Charlie expected to do this tour?

Caggiano: I can't really say for sure. I believe that is the plan. [But] I don't know for sure.

Read the entire interview from Oregon Music News.