Clang & Clatter

The last few years have been nothing short of a soap opera for Anthrax. And now, according to an uncited Blabbermouth post, it appears that the band’s on-again, off-again relationship with singer Joey Belladonna is on again.

The “classic” Anthrax lineup ended after seven years when Belladonna was fired in 1992, at which point Armored Saint’s John Bush stepped in as vocalist. A few albums — and three record contracts — later, during a time that also saw the departure of guitarist Dan Spitz, a proposed two-vocalist tour with Belladonna and Bush appeared to be in the works until Belladonna pulled out at the last minute.

Quite possibly my favorite Anthrax album We’ve Come For You All was released in 2003 with Bush on vocals and was dubbed a “comeback” of sorts, and in 2004, Bush was involved in a re-recording of classic Anthrax tunes originally sung by Belladonna and first vocalist Neil Turbin in the form of The Greater of Two Evils, a move that was criticized by die-hard fans as trying to rewrite history, and an apparent final closing of the book on the Belladonna chapter of the band’s history.

However, early 2005 saw Anthrax reunite with the Among the Living Belladonna-led lineup for a tour that would feature that album in its entirety, at which point Bush stepped aside (or was pushed aside, depending on whom you believe), as the band tried to give recording a new studio album with Belladonna a shot. Then in 2007, guitarist and founding member Scott Ian announced (by way of Blabbermouth, coincidentally enough) that Belladonna had decided not to move forward with the reformed lineup.

Dan Nelson was announced as the new lead singer in late 2007, and after a few summer shows, as well as recording and mixing a new album in 2008-2009, Nelson was no longer in the band amid controversy over press releases from both parties as to the nature of the split.

Left wondering how best to proceed, and with an album in the can featuring a vocalist no longer in the band, Anthrax went back to their go-to guy John Bush to perform with them for some already-scheduled festival shows. One festival turned into a couple more, and it looked like the band was back on track to re-record — and maybe partially rewrite — Worship Music with Bush on vocals. But now that all seems questionable at this point.

Both Ian and drummer Charlie Benante have been quite vocal during the past year that Bush is the vocalist they prefer for the band (see this VH1 That Metal Show clip for a humorous take on the subject), but the reports are that Bush did not want to make a total commitment to Anthrax and that Belladonna does.

Who knows? Maybe Belladonna is back, and maybe the band will attempt to rekindle some of the fire that was present on some of Anthrax’s biggest albums. Or maybe this whole thing with Belladonna will again fizzle out, as it appears is so often the case, which will surely leave Anthrax searching for yet another singer.

Whew! Tune in to see what happens.