ANTHRAX Singer On 'Big Four': It Was Overwhelming To Be Part Of METALLICA's World

Chad Bowar of About.com recently conducted an interview with ANTHRAX singer Joey Belladonna. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

About.com: How did the latest reunion come about?

Joey Belladonna: I got an email from Charlie [Benante, drums] saying their new management wanted to speak to me. I called them, and next thing you know we're discussing me rejoining the band.

About.com: Was there a face-to-face meeting between you and the other guys?

Joey Belladonna: We arranged to meet in the city. I went out with Charlie and Frankie [Bello, bass] one night, and Scott [Ian, guitar] and Rob [Caggiano, guitar] met up with us the next day. We talked, and asked if everybody was up for it, then decided to do it. Even to this day we're still trying to put the business end of it together, so we are clear in every little thing we want to achieve and do and how to run it. It's a business. It's been a business for a while.

About.com: What's the status of the next ANTHRAX CD?

Joey Belladonna: There's stuff already ready for the picking. We have to tweak stuff and rewrite some lyrics. All the vocals have to be placed in the songs again. I already sang on one song already, and maybe we'll take that out live with us.

About.com: Is there a release date yet?

Joey Belladonna: I'd like to shoot for the spring, just out of reality.

About.com: How did the "Big Four" shows in Europe with METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH compare to your expectations?

Joey Belladonna: It was pretty much what I thought it would be. It was quite overwhelming and cool as hell to be part of METALLICA's world. The enormous venues and countries that we've never been to was awesome. We definitely came in and did what we needed to do. It was a nice start.

About.com: You're doing some V.I.P. meet-and-greets on the tour. What's your opinion on charging fans for access like that?

Joey Belladonna: I guess it's not as excessive as some bands that charge a thousand dollars for a photo. We give away some stuff as well. I guess it's not too harmful. Of course you have to make sure you're attentive to all those needs and make sure you are there to attend.

About.com: When you sing the John Bush-era songs, do you change them up or put them in a different key or anything to make it suit your voice better?

Joey Belladonna: Nope, I just leave them alone. Some songs are easy, some songs are a bit quirky. Some are in a great key, some aren't in a great key. I just go for it, let it roll. I sing it my way.

Read the entire interview from About.com.