ANTHRAX Announce Fill In Lead Guitarist For Metal Alliance Tour!

According to a Tweet by Eddie Trunk (see below), ANTHRAX has recruited SHADOWS FALL guitarist Jon Donais to fill in as lead guitarist at the upcoming Metal Alliance tour. It seems like ANTHRAX like "borrowing" SHADOWS FALL's musicians. The bands drummer Jason Bittner (who is celebrating his 43rd birthday today), filled in for Charlie Benante during last years Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival.

"Jon is a bro and he's also a total f**king ripper," said Scott Ian.  "I've worked with him twice before on side projects and he tears it up.  I'm excited to have him on my right burning up the stage with Anthrax.  13's gonna be a good year."

"I grew up on Anthrax, they're the thrash scene, they're one of The Big Four, I'd be crazy to not want to play with them," said Donais.  "Initially, Rob called and told me he was leaving the band, and asked if I'd be interested in filling in.  Then Scott called me and everything fell into place.  Rob and I are using Skype to work on solos and other guitar parts, so he's being great.  I also have to give special thanks to my band - Brian, Matt, Jason and Ed - who have been incredibly supportive and encouraged me to do this."

As previously reported HERE, after a long and successful run as guitarist for the legendary Thrash Metal act Anthrax, Rob Caggiano has decided that it's time to move on and focus on his other passion: producing records for the time being. Following news of Caggiano's departure, the remaining members of ANTHRAX - Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna - were bombarded with tons of inquiries of aspiring guitarists who wanted to audition for the band!

Metal Alliance tour (General-admission tickets available now):

Mar. 23 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Mar. 24 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
Mar. 25 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
Mar. 27 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
Mar. 28 - Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
Mar. 29 - The Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
Mar. 30 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
Mar. 31 - Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA
Apr. 02 - Summit Music Hall - Denver, CO
Apr. 04 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 05 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Apr. 06 - The Fillmore Detroit - Detroit, MI
Apr. 07 - Bogarts - Cincinnati, OH
Apr. 09 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Apr. 10 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
Apr. 12 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Apr. 13 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
Apr. 14 - The Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD
Apr. 16 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
Apr. 18 - Theatre of the Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 20 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY

Photo by: Zulie Alvarez Related links:
ANTHRAX's Official Site

ANTHRAX Announce Release Date & Track Listing For Covers EP 'Anthem'!

The recently grammy-nominated Thrash Metal band ANTHRAX, are globally known for recording some badass covers, including Joe Jackson's "Got The Time," that not only was one of the band's biggest-selling songs, but was the first Metal song to be played on Mars when NASA used it to wake up the Mars Rover Curiosity. And we can't forget their cover of TRUST's "Antisocial".

ANTHRAX will be releasing their NEW covers EP entitled 'Anthem' on March 18, 2013. The track listing is as follows:

- "Anthem" by Rush
- "Jailbreak" by Thin Lizzy
- "TNT" by AC/DC
- "Big Eyes" by Cheap Trick
- "Smokin'" by Boston
- "Keep On Runnin'" by Journey

As previously reported HERE, after a long and successful run as guitarist for the legendary Thrash Metal act Anthrax, Rob Caggiano has decided that it's time to move on and focus on his other passion: producing records for the time being. Following news of Caggiano's departure, the remaining members of ANTHRAX - Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna - were bombarded with tons of inquiries of aspiring guitarists who wanted to audition for the band!

The response was so overwhelming, that the band had to post the following message on their Facebook page:
 
"We love you all, and are confident you shred like Yngwie Malmsteen after a case of Red Bull, but to answer all 57,000 messages at once, WE ARE NOT DOING AUDITIONS for lead guitarist. \m/"

"Rob has been an integral part of Anthrax for so many years, as our lead guitarist, in a production capacity, but most of all, as our close friend", commented the band in a collective statement. "His contributions to the band have been enormous.  While we are sad that he is leaving, we wish him nothing but great success going forward, and hope to share the stage with him again sometime down the road.

"With the Metal Alliance Tour on the horizon, we have been considering several lead guitarist options, and will be making an announcement on that shortly."

As previously announced, in the spring of 2013, the headbangers of North America will welcome the third chapter of the Metal Alliance Tour. The event will be headlined by ANTHRAX who will be performing 'Among The Living' in its entirety. The lineup thus far includes:

- ANTHRAX
- EXODUS
- MUNICIPAL WASTE
- HOLY GRAIL
- HIGH ON FIRE

The dates are as follows (General-admission tickets are available now):

Mar. 23 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Mar. 24 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
Mar. 25 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
Mar. 27 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
Mar. 28 - Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
Mar. 29 - The Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
Mar. 30 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
Mar. 31 - Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA
Apr. 02 - Summit Music Hall - Denver, CO
Apr. 04 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 05 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Apr. 06 - The Fillmore Detroit - Detroit, MI
Apr. 07 - Bogarts - Cincinnati, OH
Apr. 09 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Apr. 10 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
Apr. 12 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Apr. 13 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
Apr. 14 - The Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD
Apr. 16 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
Apr. 18 - Theatre of the Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 20 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY

Related links:
ANTHRAX's Official Site

ANTHRAX To Fans: "WE ARE NOT DOING AUDITIONS for lead guitarist"

As previously reported HERE, after a long and successful run as guitarist for the legendary Thrash Metal act Anthrax, Rob Caggiano has decided that it's time to move on and focus on his other passion: producing records for the time being. Following news of Caggiano's departure, the remaining members of ANTHRAX - Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna - were bombarded with tons of inquiries of aspiring guitarists who wanted to audition for the band!

The response was so overwhelming, that the band had to post the following message on their Facebook page:
 
"We love you all, and are confident you shred like Yngwie Malmsteen after a case of Red Bull, but to answer all 57,000 messages at once, WE ARE NOT DOING AUDITIONS for lead guitarist. \m/"

"Rob has been an integral part of Anthrax for so many years, as our lead guitarist, in a production capacity, but most of all, as our close friend", commented the band in a collective statement. "His contributions to the band have been enormous.  While we are sad that he is leaving, we wish him nothing but great success going forward, and hope to share the stage with him again sometime down the road.

"With the Metal Alliance Tour on the horizon, we have been considering several lead guitarist options, and will be making an announcement on that shortly."
As previously announced, in the spring of 2013, the headbangers of North America will welcome the third chapter of the Metal Alliance Tour. The event will be headlined by ANTHRAX who will be performing 'Among The Living' in its entirety. The lineup thus far includes:

- ANTHRAX
- EXODUS
- MUNICIPAL WASTE
- HOLY GRAIL
- HIGH ON FIRE

The dates are as follows (General-admission tickets will go on sale on January 11):

Mar. 23 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Mar. 24 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
Mar. 25 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
Mar. 27 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
Mar. 28 - Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
Mar. 29 - The Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
Mar. 30 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
Mar. 31 - Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA
Apr. 02 - Summit Music Hall - Denver, CO
Apr. 04 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 05 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Apr. 06 - The Fillmore Detroit - Detroit, MI
Apr. 07 - Bogarts - Cincinnati, OH
Apr. 09 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Apr. 10 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
Apr. 12 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Apr. 13 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
Apr. 14 - The Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD
Apr. 16 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
Apr. 18 - Theatre of the Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 20 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY

Related links:
ANTHRAX's Official Site

ANTHRAX Respond To The Departure Of Rob Caggiano; Band To Announce Replacement Soon!

As previously reported HERE, after a long and successful run as guitarist for the legendary Thrash Metal act Anthrax, Rob Caggiano has decided that it's time to move on and focus on his other passion: producing records for the time being. Following news of Caggiano's departure, the remaining members of ANTHRAX - Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna - have made the following statement:

"Rob has been an integral part of Anthrax for so many years, as our lead guitarist, in a production capacity, but most of all, as our close friend.  His contributions to the band have been enormous.  While we are sad that he is leaving, we wish him nothing but great success going forward, and hope to share the stage with him again sometime down the road.

"With the Metal Alliance Tour on the horizon, we have been considering several lead guitarist options, and will be making an announcement on that shortly."

ANTHRAX - Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna

As previously announced, in the spring of 2013, the headbangers of North America will welcome the third chapter of the Metal Alliance Tour. The event will be headlined by ANTHRAX who will be performing 'Among The Living' in its entirety. The lineup thus far includes:

- ANTHRAX
- EXODUS
- MUNICIPAL WASTE
- HOLY GRAIL
- HIGH ON FIRE

The dates are as follows (General-admission tickets will go on sale on January 11):

Mar. 23 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Mar. 24 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
Mar. 25 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
Mar. 27 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
Mar. 28 - Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
Mar. 29 - The Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
Mar. 30 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
Mar. 31 - Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA
Apr. 02 - Summit Music Hall - Denver, CO
Apr. 04 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 05 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Apr. 06 - The Fillmore Detroit - Detroit, MI
Apr. 07 - Bogarts - Cincinnati, OH
Apr. 09 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Apr. 10 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
Apr. 12 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Apr. 13 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
Apr. 14 - The Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD
Apr. 16 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
Apr. 18 - Theatre of the Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 20 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY

Related links:
ANTHRAX's Official Site

ANTHRAX: Guitarist Rob Caggiano Leaves The Band - Official Statement Available!

After a long and successful run as guitarist for the legendary Thrash Metal act Anthrax, Rob Caggiano has decided that it's time to move on and focus on his other passion: producing records for the time being. Already an acclaimed Rock and Metal producer, Rob has amassed a long list of production credits working with acts such as Cradle of Filth (on their Grammy-nominated classic Nymphetamine), The Damned Things, and Jesse Malin to name a few. Rob's production work on the most recent Anthrax studio album 'Worship Music' received high recognition, as the track "I'm Alive" received a Grammy Nomination for Best Rock + Metal Performance. 

Being a member of the mighty Anthrax for the better part of the last 12 years is something that Caggiano is of course very proud of. This was not an easy decision to make.

"I'm extremely proud of my time in Anthrax. Actually, that's an understatement! We accomplished so many great things together over the years and I shared some of the best times of my life with these guys. As a band, we also weathered quite a few storms along the way. It's been a wild ride (to say the least) from Day One and I wouldn't change one single thing about the last 12 years. This is an extremely difficult and emotional decision for me to make but my heart is just steering me in a different direction right now. I've always been one to follow my heart in everything that I do and while this might be one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, it feels like the right one for me at this time. Scott, Charlie, Joey, Frankie (and John Bush) will always be part of my family and this decision doesn't change the way I feel about that in the slightest. I would also like to say thanks to all the amazing fans I've met and hung out with worldwide over the years. You guys always were and always will be the reason why I make music! In this day and age, being a musician isn't always easy -also an understatement- but the fans truly make it worthwhile for me. I hope to see each and every one of you again really soon. The fact that Anthrax is at the top of their game right now and totally 'out for blood' after all these years is a testament to this band's longevity and conviction! I'm truly honored to have been a part of their brilliant legacy."

With this new direction, Caggiano very much looks forward to getting back to producing/recording/writing again in the immediate future.

"I can't wait to get back in the recording studio again! Over the years, I've been blessed with the privilege of working with a wide range of great bands/artists from Anthrax and Cradle of Filth all the way to Bruce Springsteen, and I look forward to a hopeful continuation of that side of my career while I figure out my next move as an artist. BTW in case anyone was wondering after reading all of this, I do FULLY intend to get back out there on the road very soon in some way shape or form....it's in my blood! Please feel free to follow me on Twitter @RobCaggiano for any and all updates on what I am up to." 

As previously announced, in the spring of 2013, the headbangers of North America will welcome the third chapter of the Metal Alliance Tour. The event will be headlined by ANTHRAX who will be performing 'Among The Living' in its entirety. The lineup thus far includes:

- ANTHRAX
- EXODUS
- MUNICIPAL WASTE
- HOLY GRAIL
- HIGH ON FIRE

The dates are as follows (General-admission tickets will go on sale on January 11):

Mar. 23 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Mar. 24 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
Mar. 25 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
Mar. 27 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
Mar. 28 - Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
Mar. 29 - The Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR
Mar. 30 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, BC
Mar. 31 - Showbox SoDo - Seattle, WA
Apr. 02 - Summit Music Hall - Denver, CO
Apr. 04 - First Avenue - Minneapolis, MN
Apr. 05 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
Apr. 06 - The Fillmore Detroit - Detroit, MI
Apr. 07 - Bogarts - Cincinnati, OH
Apr. 09 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
Apr. 10 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
Apr. 12 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Apr. 13 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
Apr. 14 - The Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD
Apr. 16 - House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
Apr. 18 - Theatre of the Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 20 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY

Related links:
ANTHRAX's Official Site