With the recent reassembly of their classic lineup, New York City thrash-metal icons Anthrax have been ripping stages across the United States and Europe this year, thrilling not only old-school fans, but even those who weren't yet born when the band burst onto the scene in 1984. JustArts had the opportunity to chat with Joey Belladonna, lead vocalist of these pioneers of modern metal.
JustArts: You guys released your first full-length major release in 1984-it's now 2005 and despite numerous lineup changes over the year, the band has come full circle. What does it mean to have the original lineup finally back together, and why after all this time did it finally happen?

Joey Belladonna: Well, for me, it's something I never really got to finish. It was good when I got to do it, and it was still good when it ended. It's pretty awesome to be together again with this great package of guys. We fit well together and put on a great live show. It's been 20 years and we all have abilities to do it well still. It was just time.

JA: Do you feel any pressure to live up to the tremendous success you guys had previously?

JB: I'm always looking to achieve the most extreme goal that I can, but in a particular point in time, you just got to do what you do and maintain focus. There's no pressure really.

JA: It is widely known that when you departed from the band in 1991, it wasn't on the best of terms. How is your relationship now with these guys and how will it affect the chemistry of the band going forward?

JB: It's been amazing really. I feel really comfortable-I think they enjoy my being here and my performances. We're having really great responses and that just makes us want to do more. We're busy.

JA: With it being almost 15 years since the band was last together, obviously some things have changed-you're older, the crowds are different, the scene is different. Has it been difficult to relate to the times at all?

JB: I don't have any problems relating nor do we as a band. If we have strong songs like the old days and crack them pretty hard, I don't think anybody sees anything disappointing or something that doesn't sit with the music these days. People are overwhelmed, people who haven't been able to see us. Hitting people who wouldn't have heard of us has been exciting.

JA: What do you think of the current metal scene? Who are some bands out there that you think are really up-and-coming? Is there any trend that you really don't like or bands that represent something fundamentally wrong today?

JB: I don't sit around and figure out [what I really don't like], but I guess I'm not so much into the pop stuff. There is really good music in all stages. I don't have particular preference, just a lot of great bands; it's nice to see the diversity. Guys that we like these days, like System Of A Down, they like us too. They were so into hanging out with us and it's really cool to see new groups, and everyone is influenced by each other.

JA: Artifacts 1, your solo album, was just released last year. Do you plan to continue to support that album and your solo career or are you focused on playing with Anthrax right now?

JB: Right now, [Anthrax] is my first and my only thing. You've got to focus on what you're doing. When I was doing my thing, it was just to do some music, just making myself busy. Now, this is really a great thing so I'm totally buckled in here, not thinking about solo stuff. What I did was cool; if people dig it that's cool, but I'm not coming out on this thing to try to promote that or drill it into people. If people bring it up, OK, but it's not a priority.

JA: What are the future plans for Anthrax? How long will the original lineup remain together? Will we have the luxury of looking forward to a 2006 release?

JB: There hasn't been any discussion yet about a new release. There is some interest, but we haven't really discussed it particularly. It would be a nice segue but you have to get in the room together and do it.

JA: Whats the best part about this new wild ride?

JB: The greatest part is just being able to be totally together and doing it well and watching people get off on it. Other than that, being able to meet some new people who really enjoy the music has been great.