Joey Belladonna welcomes us backstage right before Anthrax’ show in Athens, Greece and almost immediately says that this Big Four tour is history in the making…couldn’t agree more, Joey! But what about Anthrax? When will we see the new album? Did he return to stay permanently this time? All these and more in the following lines…

Interview: Sakis Nikas

Rockpages.gr: Joey, you returned to the band once again. How are things so far?

Joey Belladonna: It’s always good to come back for all the right reasons…just to know that everybody is content with the vocal style that I have. You want to know that all this stuff is genuine; real…I try not to worry about those things, though…it’s kinda freaky to come back again and again!

Rockpages.gr: Many fans want to know why you leaved four years ago…

Joey Belladonna: I guess things didn’t work out…I wanted other things…the guys, at the time, didn’t have any great ideas regarding the future of Anthrax with me on vocals. It was hard to come back when you didn’t know why you returned at the first place. I am always ready…but it was a long waste of time. But then, one day I come back and everything’s natural and like nothing had happened in between us…it’s very easy, actually.

Rockpages.gr: Are there any thoughts or plans of recording new music?

Joey Belladonna: Yeah, absolutely. We’ve already worked on some stuff…it sounds good…I think the whole vibe of the songs reminds me a little bit of the “Persistence of Time” record…

Rockpages.gr: Cool. How is the atmosphere among the so called Big Four of the Thrash genre?

Joey Belladonna: It’s just incredible…I mean, it’s electric…there are a lot of things going on…so many fans…unbelievable! It’s an all-day affair. It’s hard to explain…

Rockpages.gr: Did you expect that someday this tour will happen?

Joey Belladonna: Well, not really! But, as time goes by, you realize the impact that these bands have around the world…so, it was just a matter of working out the schedules.

Rockpages.gr: Anthrax was one of the first bands that tried to crossover to rap music. Back then, did you fear that such a move would have a negative effect on the thrash fans?

Joey Belladonna: I couldn’t tell you for sure…certainly, there were those hardcore fans that didn’t get the whole thing. Personally, I didn’t know a lot of things about that crossover sound…it was different to me, too. I gotta say that it was fun…it was just a different experience. 

Rockpages.gr: You had done a few shows by playing the whole “Among The Living” record. How did it feel?

Joey Belladonna: Man, that was a blast! The fans loved it, we had a great time on stage and after we’ve done with the record, we played a best of tunes from the rest of the Anthrax catalogue. Fantastic experience…

Rockpages.gr: Was it hard for you to carry on when you left Anthrax?

Joey Belladonna: Not really. For me, it is all about enjoying the music…you know, writing songs, going out on a low budget tour, carrying your own equipment. It’s not hard for me. Even at this point of my career, I play clubs doing cover songs…from classic rock bands like Rush, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Triumph, Pink Floyd. The Who…I play drums and sing! I try to keep busy. I got my own Belladonna band…it’s all about having a good time.

Rockpages.gr: After all these years, do you see Scott (Ian), Charlie (Benante), Frank (Bello) and Rob (Caggiano) as your friends, business partners or a little bit of both?