ANTHRAX's CHARLIE BENANTE: 'The Metal Community Is Probably One Of The Most Loyal Communities'

ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante was recently interviewed by the "Nothing Shocking" podcast. You can now listen to the chat using the audio player below.

Asked if it gets easier for musicians in a band to get along with each other as they get older, Benante said: "The thing that people have to understand is that when you form a band or you start a band, it's usually at a time in your life when you'll do anything to get out of what you're doing and reach that next level, because you look up to your favorite bands. For me, it was KISS, IRON MAIDEN… those type of bands I looked up to. I always wanted to be like that. And then when you start a band, these are your goals. And then, one day, that whole thing turns into a business, and then that aspect kicks in. And no matter what you say about it, you still have to try to remain interested and make it fun. And the business does take over, and it definitely sets certain people apart in the band. It does get weirder, but it also makes you bond together more. So, if I had to tell you, now the way we interact with each other is pretty much the same. The only difference is we each have families and I think a good portion of it goes to that. But there's still time that we hang, so it's good."

Benante also talked about how heavy metal fans are widely believed to be more passionate than any other fanbase.

"I think the metal community is probably one of the most loyal communities," he said. "They follow the music, just like we do. It's a way of life. I really think that it's important for us to recognize that too. That's the main thing about… for me, especially, is why I spend so much time on putting a package together for a new release. I wanna make sure the cover is outstanding, I wanna make sure the inside is [equally impressive] — I wanna make sure everything about that is just amazing… for myself, of course, but our fans. I just want them to have a really great experience. And I don't want them to just stream the music, I want them to read the music, I want them to smell the music, I want them to just be a whole part of it."

ANTHRAX is supporting SLAYER on the first two legs of the Tom Araya-fronted outfit's last-ever North American run of dates. Also appearing on the bill are LAMB OF GOD, TESTAMENT and BEHEMOTH (with NAPALM DEATH replacing BEHEMOTH for the second leg).

Last month, ANTHRAX released "Kings Among Scotland", the band's live-in-concert DVD, via Megaforce. Captured on February 15, 2017 at the band's sold-out concert at Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom, the two-hour "Kings Among Scotland" incorporates the band's entire live show along with interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and other B-roll shot on the band's tour bus, backstage, in hotels and elsewhere. The DVD also includes a "gear rundown" from each of the band members.

Interview (audio):