ANTHRAX Film Scene For HELEN MIRREN Movie

ANTHRAX filmed a scene last week for an upcoming Helen Mirren movie, Calendar Girls, due sometime next year. Commented guitarist Scott Ian: "It's a true story about these British women that posed for a sexy calendar to raise money for charity. It became huge and they came to LA to be on Jay Leno. Our scene is playing ourselves, just off tour hanging out poolside and we meet these women. It was cool. It will be out next year. Helen Mirren was in Excalibur, Mordred's Mom!"

Meanwhile, Ian posted the following statement via his regular online column, Alpha Mail, regarding the one-year anniversary of the September 11th tragedy:

"I just watched THE WHO's amazing performance from the Concert for NYC again, and was once again blown away. They really gave it everything they had. At the end of their set when Roger said, 'We can't follow what you did,' he defined the moment. I decided to not drown myself in an endless sea of 9/11 footage today. My memory is still pretty good and I can see those images as clear as when they happened. I haven't forgotten a thing, and a day doesn't go by that I don't think of the events of that day. Waking up on the bus that morning to pee and having our driver tell me 'I'd better look at the TV 'cuz they blowed up the Trade Center' was the start of a surreal three days that ended with a 19 hour drive from Ft. Collins, Colorado to LA in a Budget cargo van with John, Dominick and Bill. Everyone has their own story from that day. Luckily mine contains no tragedy.

"So instead of watching a constant loop of that horrifying footage, I spent the day with [girlfriend] Pearl doing whatever. Running stupid errands, watching TV, enjoying each other and the amazing life we have together, making plans to go for a drink with friends later to commemorate 9/11 for ourselves. That's what life is about. Freedom. In the wake of this tragic anniversary, it's our job and our destiny as Americans to live our lives as best we can. Without hate. Without jealousy. Without schism. Without the petty differences that separate and divide. If anything is to be learned from 9/11, it's to enjoy the life and time that you've been given. Don't waste it. Live with passion and intensity. Do something. I've spent the last year making my world a better place. I can actually say that I've never been happier and I intend for that to grow every day of my life. I truly wish for happiness for all of you. Find what makes you happy and grab it with all the energy you have. And don't let go.

"I guess you enjoyed [the new ANTHRAX song] 'Refuse To Be Denied' [which was posted online to commemorate the 9/11 anniversary]. The response was overwhelming. Thank you so much. The lyrics to that song were written in direct response to the events of 9/11. This song is our tribute to the innocents that lost their lives, to the survivors who proudly go on, to the heroes that risked and gave all in that moment of moments and to the troops that are still abroad fighting for our freedom. This is your song. It was an honor last November at the NY Steel benefit to have met so many of the Police and Firemen that took part in the rescue effort. You fought for the lives of so many in what was literally a trial by fire. Such bravery will never be forgotten. Our lives were profoundly affected by this act of cowardice. But by no means has it broken us. Not even close. We persevere as Americans. We live free or die and refuse to be denied our birthright."