Anthrax refuse to move aside for other genres

(Image credit: Scott Dudelson - Getty)

Anthrax’s Charlie Benante says the band continue to be relevant despite the pressure coming from other musical genres.

The New York veterans have enjoyed a 37-year career and have just released their live package Kings Among Scotland on the back of their 11th studio album For All Kings.

The drummer tells Fargo Monthly: “When you’re trying to keep it together, I would say it’s important that you love what you’re doing. Throughout the years we can see other forms of music take form and become popular. 

“We are living in a time where the climate is telling you that rock music is done and that you need to make way for other genres. 

“We’re like, ‘no,’ everyone is still here and you can see that. Just look at AC/DC or Iron Maiden, they stuck to their guns and they’re still relevant, that’s what we are too.”

Anthrax are currently on the road with Slayer on Tom Araya and co’s final run of live shows – and Benante calls the opportunity to join them on the landmark tour “bittersweet.”

He says: “For me, being the same age, playing the same form of music, we were outsiders back in the day. 

“We were different and we choose a form of music that you have to love if you’re going to do it because it’s not music that is played on the radio, it’s not friendly. 

“Watching all of this play out with them is really bittersweet. It’s like retiring a player’s jersey.”

Anthrax’s next show with Slayer, Lamb Of God, Behemoth and Testament will take place later tonight (May 22) at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg. 

Find a full list of tour dates here.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.