The surprise isn't that ANTHRAX's "I'm Alive" received a Grammy nomination last night for "Best Rock/Metal Performance"; the surprise is that it comes more than a year after the track's September 13, 2011 release on the band's critical smash, "Worship Music", which was named was of the best metal albums of 2011 by numerous media outlets, and provided the band with the rock 'n' roll comeback story of the year. This is the fourth Grammy nomination for ANTHRAX — Charlie Benante on drums, Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano on guitars, Frank Bello on bass, Joey Belladonna on vocals.

"I was watching the DAVE MATTHEWS BAND perform when I received a text saying 'Congrats on the Grammy nomination!'," said Benante. "Huh? I had lost all hope of ever being nominated for another Grammy, but I guess I was wrong. We put so much hard work into 'Worship Music', and I am so honored to be nominated with a group of bands that have also sustained the test of time like the legendary MAIDEN and MEGADETH. Heavy metal is a force, it has fans that range from six to 66, and I'm so proud to be a part of this force...it's in all of us."

ANTHRAX recently spent time in the studio recording several cover versions of some of their favorite rock classics, to be included with the upcoming re-release of the band's latest album, "Worship Music".

In addition to RUSH ("Anthem") and BOSTON ("Smokin'") covers, ANTHRAX is also recording its versions of AC/DC's "T.N.T.", JOURNEY's "Keep On Runnin'" and BLACK SABBATH's "Neon Knights". The latter song is expected to appear on the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album which is being assembled by the singer's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio.

"Worship Music" has sold more than 100,000 copies in the U.S. since its September 2011 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.