Anthrax’s Frank Bello On The New Album: ‘We Stepped Up The Heaviness’
Anthrax bassist Frank Bello was recently interviewed by Rodney McG and talked about the progress of the new album and the follow-up to 2016’s “For All Kings” album.
“We officially finished drums, bass and guitar, which is great. I know my bass tracks are done, so I’m kind of psyched. Right now, it’s up to… I think Joey’s [Belladonna, Anthrax singer] singing his sixth or seventh song; I’m pretty sure on that. Jon Donais [Anthrax guitarist], I think he’s starting his guitars, or maybe he started them already. But as far as I know, from what they’re doing, they’re booking it this month or early next month to get back in there and keep it going. Hopefully, at the end of the year, we’ll have an Anthrax record.”
Bello touched on why it took so long between albums, “There wasn’t a rush, obviously. I know it’s been eight years since our last record, but we wanna make sure it’s right, and it is [right]. We are very confident. I’m not worried about how right it is. It’s right on exactly where I think, and the rest of the band think, we need to be. I love that it’s more complicated for me to play. I love the challenge of that. I think we stepped it up a little bit, the heaviness. Again, everybody’s gonna prop their record. Doing this for so long, this is how I feel.
Bello added, “I don’t wanna get complacent. I want the challenge, ’cause I’m a fan. I’m a fan, and it has to stimulate me. And it has to get me going on stage.”
And yes, you can expect a heavier album, “On this record, there’s stuff that we’ve never done before. I’m just saying right out — there’s stuff, in a heavy way, which I’m very proud of. I like that we went that way with it and just went, ‘What the fuck was that?’ Some of the things that Charlie Benante [Anthrax drummer] does on drums, Scott [Ian, Anthrax guitarist] and I were just, ‘What the fuck was that?’ And that’s great, ’cause you wanna raise your game after that. I think it makes everybody step up a little bit. I’m doing some bass stuff that I had some fun with on this that I would never have done. I think there’s a lot of cool stuff that’s going on vocally, melody-wise. I’m really happy where the next Anthrax record is going.”
Anthrax celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2021. They have released 11 studio albums, have been awarded multiple gold and platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, have toured since 1984 and are part of metal’s ‘Big Four’.
Some people say their last album, “For All Kings”, is their best ever.
How many more albums do you think Anthrax will make? Heavier sound excellent!
