Ex-ANTHRAX Guitarist DAN SPITZ Launches 'Christian Heavy Metal' Project

Former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz was one of the guest speakers at the Cornerstone Festival on July 5, 2008 in Bushnell, Illinois. (See photo below.)

Cornerstone is one of the most popular Christian music festivals in the United States.

Commented Spitz: "I had such a blast at Cornerstone. The warm reception and gracious people that helped our family feel at home amongst so many in attendance (around 100,000) goes beyond our expectations of hospitality.

"This was the event I chose to announce what had been so secretly quiet since my departure from ANTHRAX. The new music and the people who have been quietly recording on my creations were announced. Those in attendance got to see me speak both on the main stage, as well as a wonderful question-and-answer press conference during the day hours. I felt such a warming embrace to those who were there to listen to what God has placed upon my heart to achieve. Creating this new kind of music brought me both closer to Christ, as well as closer to so many aspects of music creation. I do feel (as I did in the past) that I have created an entirely new sound never heard by the human ear before.

"Of course, the biggest part of the music announcement people seem to want to know more about is my singing. Yes, I am singing on all the new music and those who have heard it are just loving it so very much. I worked so hard at perfecting my voice for this music. Who better to relay the message set forth within me than me? I actually really like singing and can't wait to hit the stages doing so.

"Some close friends, and of course, record company executives there at Cornerstone, were amongst the first to be blown away by what is to come to the Christian heavy metal genre. My brother Peter Baltes, from the legendary band ACCEPT (who has tracked all the bass on the project) stood alongside me at the festival as well. Matt Thompson from the band KING DIAMOND did some drum overdubs and will be my touring drummer, but was not available to attend.

"Of course I had a great time watching Brian 'Head' Welch from KORN speak on the main stage as well [photo]. I can tell he is blessed in so many ways. I'm very much looking forward to the both of us bringing forth the talent we have been blessed with forthright into the community were it belongs. An uplifting and next level is about to appear in the Christian music scene and those who know, do in fact 'really' know what God has in store."

Photo uploaded by Flickr user "echobase_2000":