BLABBERMOUTH.NET has received the following statement from ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian:

"Finally, we're going back to work. We're going to Chicago to work our asses off and write a record. It's time. We're ready. One problem... no singer.

"We were offered a direct support slot on a major tour this spring and Joey [Belladonna, vocals] decided he did not want to move forward. The reunion is over. We tried to make it work but I guess that's the problem, you can't 'make' something work. It's gotta be natural and at least becoming a band again and playing live was.

"Over the course of around 140 shows we became a better band than we ever were before from 1984 - 92. The shows we played from April 2005 through October 2006 were incredible and some of the best gigs we've ever played. Doing Donington again was mind-blowing, Graspop was insane, the insanity in Finland, Chicago, Milwaukee, three times in L.A.!!!, three times across Western Canada!!, Glasgow!!!!!, London!!!, the Nokia show in NY, the Starland show in NJ, JUDAS PRIEST!, ROB ZOMBIE!, Gigantour!!, Australia!!!, Japan!!!!!!, really, there's not a bummer in 19 months.

"Thank you from the very depths of my soul for being the best fans in the world. We got to relive something that I never thought we could and it turned out better than I ever thought it would. We didn't have to force it, it just happened and it was great.

"My curiosity was piqued by the idea of what ANTHRAX would sound like now with Joey singing. Over the last few months we've discussed this endlessly to no avail. The problems that were there could not be fixed no matter how hard we tried and in the end Joey made the decision.

"I know a lot of you out there are disappointed by this and that's the last thing we ever want. None of us want to disappoint. If we were meant to make a reunion record we would've. Some things look easy on paper but the reality is that they are impossible and what works for one band doesn't work for others. Maybe we could've forced something and cashed in on a new record but that's not the way we operate.
My reality is I feel we have some unfinished business with the 'We've Come for You All' lineup and I will do my best to finish it.

"I hope you can find it in your hearts to support all of us in whatever happens going forward.

"Charlie [Benante, drums], Frankie [Bello] and I are excited about creating new music and for now we will focus on that and write another killer ANTHRAX record."

Might have a hard time goin back to the WCFYA line up since they mercilessly fucked over John Bush and Rob Caggiano has a pending lawsuit against them. Shame coz that was the best Thrax album for years. Probably best they didn't make a new album with the classic lineup as Joey's voice is shot to shit now. Does this mean Dan Spitz has gone back to watchmaking lol

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I ONLY SAW YOU ONCE

ONLY ONCE

Yeah I would really love to see them again with Joey, bummer.

Ghey! would have liked to see them continue with Joey but also i dont really want them to ruin a good thing...

I saw the reunion tour twice and it was totally inferior to the three times I had seen the WCFYA line up.

However, I can't see Anthrax bouncing back from this. I mean;

'We're going to Chicago to work our asses off and write a record. It's time. We're ready. One problem... no singer.'

Scott is fucked. He's going to struggle to fight of the IRS this time.

wow!!! What a huge surprise this isn't!!! Thing that gets me is that Danny isn't even mentioned and it would appear he has been jettisoned as well. Not that i am complaining, he was my least favourite part of the reunion. Posing little twat. They came, they took the money, they fucked off!! And fucked their remaining career in doing so.

They should just jack it in. They were fucking awful with Bush. Last time I saw them in Chicago with him they'd even stopped playing the solos in the older songs. They'd just go into some shitty breakdown part.

i'm just glad i got to see them with joey in my lifetime

Michalik wrote:i'm just glad i got to see them with joey in my lifetime

Good point man!

Atom wrote:

Michalik wrote:i'm just glad i got to see them with joey in my lifetime

Good point man!

agreed. Im totally gutted joey has left, he is my fav thrash singer. Seeing him sing lone justice was fucking killer. I never thought id ever get to him in anthrax with spitz ever so to see that happen twice is unreal. Especially as anthrax seemed to be finding their feet again after WCFYA. So thank you joey il raise a beer to you tonight!

In the meantime i hope the next anthrax album is utter gash so that they ask back Injun Joe to sing again lolol

Being an official old bugger I saw them twice on the ATL tour and then at Donny '87. I had planned to see them on the reunion, drove to the gig without a ticket being told there were 100s for sale only to find them all gone...

First time I saw them was in '86 supporting Metallica. Then on the ATL tour with Testament supporting them. Then Donington '87. Then the SOE and POT tours. Once Joey (and especially Dan Spitz) left I lost interest.

phodg wrote:First time I saw them was in '86 supporting Metallica. Then on the ATL tour with Testament supporting them. Then Donington '87. Then the SOE and POT tours. Once Joey (and especially Dan Spitz) left I lost interest.

A) Im so jealous lol

B) Im gonna lose interest as well now that joey has left

the line up looked so complete with joey and dan back. I wonder how franky B feels about all this. He always had a thing with about playing with joe and dan. If he fucks off out of thrax as well i certainly wont be seeing them again. He is the best musician live ever. The frankie stomp yas!

Bring back Neil Turbin and Dan Lilker!..........................Aye, right