Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has looked back on one of the most painful decisions in the band’s history, admitting that he believes he was wrong to support Joey Belladonna’s departure in the early 1990s.
Speaking on the latest episode of Naked Lunch, Ian reflected on Anthrax’s decision to part ways with Belladonna around 1991 and bring Armored Saint vocalist John Bush into the band.
Ian described the decision as a collective one, but acknowledged that decades of hindsight have changed his perspective (per Blabbermouth).
“It wasn’t just me [who felt that getting rid of Joey in 1991 was the right move]. It was a band decision. Whether we made the right or wrong decision, it’s easy to… And I talk a lot about it in my book [2014’s ‘I’m The Man: The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax’]. But at the time, it’s a decision that had to have been made. And it sucks. Any time like that, you’re going through something like that in a band where you’re making that kind of change, it’s the hardest, worst, stressful — just heartbreaking.”
Different directions
The guitarist went further, explaining that Anthrax believed their music was heading somewhere Belladonna could no longer follow.
“At that time, in ’91 going into ’92, we felt like the band was moving musically in a direction that we felt like Joey couldn’t be there with us anymore. And in hindsight, I’ve said it, I said it in my book that I was wrong, that if we would’ve really taken the time, there’s no reason why… And this is no knock on John either, of course, ’cause I love John Bush, and John is a great singer. But 30 years go by, and you’ve had time to think about stuff, especially when you’re writing a book. And, yeah, if we would’ve really just taken the time, there probably… There is a world where Joey could have sang on that record [1993’s ‘Sound Of White Noise’, which marked ANTHRAX’s first studio album with Bush] and it would’ve been a great album. And I don’t mean that in any negative towards anybody.”
Belladonna eventually returned to Anthrax in 2010, rejoining Ian, Charlie Benante and Frank Bello for the band’s next chapter.
According to Ian, the reunion happened remarkably quickly, with the musicians meeting for coffee before Charlie Benante asked Belladonna if he wanted to come back.
“We want you back in the band. Do you wanna do it?” Belladonna reportedly replied, “Yes, it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.”
Ian said the first rehearsals brought back an immediate connection.
“The first time we got in the room and started jamming again, and especially playing the old songs and hearing Joey sing songs like ‘Madhouse’ and ‘Medusa’ again, I had the chills…”
Anthrax ‘Cursum Perficio‘
The timing is particularly notable as Anthrax prepare to release their first studio album in a decade, Cursum Perficio arrives September 18th through Megaforce in the US and Nuclear Blast in Europe.
Anthrax ‘Cursum Perficio’ Track List:
1. My Victory
2. Persistence Of Memory
3. The Long Goodbye
4. It’s For The Kids
5. Everybody’s Got A Plan
6. The Edge Of Perfection
7. Infectious
8. NYC 93
9. Cursum Perficio
10. T.O.M.B.
11. Watch It Go
Pre order/save here.
The 11 track record follows 2016’s For All Kings and features recently released singles including Everybody’s Got A Plan, It’s For The Kids and The Edge Of Perfection.
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