Interview with Charlie Benante (Anthrax)

Metal Express Radio’s Sean Meloy recently had the unique opportunity to chat briefly with the great Charlie Benante of Anthrax about their new album, Worship Music. Here is what Charlie had to say …

MER:
It is an absolute honor to talk to the great Charlie Benante, legendary drummer and long time member of Anthrax. First, congratulations on the great new album Worship Music. This album has been in the works for a couple of years, can you give a brief timeline how it all evolved?

CB:
Back in 2006, I came off the road and started writing what would become the songs for Worship Music. Scott came out to Chicago, and then Frank, and we started arranging and bouncing stuff off each other. We didn’t have a singer in mind, we were just enjoying making music.

MER:
Most Anthrax fans are ecstatic with the return of Joey Belladonna to the line-up. What is it like having him back again?

CB:
I am myself a huge fan of the band and I am so happy to have this line-up together again. It’s apparent that it is our best.

MER:
How has the “Big 4” tour with Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer rejuvenated your career after being out of the spotlight for a few years?

CB:
I always said that we had the most to prove and the most to win. I tried to enjoy every aspect of these shows, and I can’t wait to do more.

MER:
Talk a little bit about the new album, Worship Music. Each track is extremely strong and very well-written. What were some of the main influences that went into the songwriting?

CB:
We searched deep down and wrote what was inside. We also had the luxury of revisiting the material and that really helped the songs be the songs they wanted to be.

MER:
What is the most enjoyable thing about being a part of Anthrax?

CB:
Being worshipped … hahahaha, I’m joking!

MER:
Do you have any new coffee flavors to unleash on your highly caffeinated fans?

CB:
I am in the process of redoing my coffee thing … fingers are crossed.

MER:
Once again, a big thanks for taking time to talk to Metal Express Radio. Best of luck to the band and much success with the new album! Do you have any final words to share with your fans out there?

CB:
THANK YOU for SUPPORTING and staying with us through the good and bad … it’s all good now!

Author

Sean Meloy

Sean Meloy was a reviewer, interviewer and DJ here at Metal Express Radio, based out of Iowa , USA. By day he is a straight laced, buttoned up, number crunching accountant; armed with his portable calculator. All other times he is a hard rocking Metal head! He spent many hours listening to records and 8-tracks with his father. Classic bands such as Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Kansas, Led Zeppelin, and Eric Clapton just to name a few. His father bought him his first record, Kiss Alive II, at age 6. By the time he reached his teens he was discovering all the Classic Metal of the 1980’s; Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Twisted Sister, etc. He became a huge fan of the Thrash Metal of the time as well; Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Exodus, and Overkill. During the 1990’s he experimented with the Grunge and Hard Rock. However, by the time the millennium came he found himself going back to his roots and rebuilt the music collection he started in his teens.
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