(Az interjú magyar változata itt olvasható.)
Legendary thrash metal bands Anthrax and Testament are hitting the road together at the end of November, making a stop in Budapest on December 10th at Barba Negra, with special guest Kreator. Ahead of the tour, we spoke with Anthrax drummer and thrash icon Charlie Benante about his New York beginnings, plans for the band’s upcoming album, and what it means to him to perform with Pantera.
(text: Daniella Kiss – photo: Ignacio Galvez)
Anthrax has been among the most influential thrash metal bands for decades, and New York played a key role in the early days of the band. Can you tell us about the New York music scene when Anthrax was just starting out? How did the city influence the band’s sound?
„When we were coming up, there wasn’t really a hard rock/metal scene in New York. There were lots of clubs with bands playing covers, like what’s now known as tribute bands, as well as bands trying to make it. The most famous bands coming out of New York back then were Kiss, the Ramones, and others like that. We kind of hooked up with the hardcore scene around ’83, and that music really hit us—it was energizing, and we just really enjoyed it. Going to CBGB on Sundays and watching bands like Agnostic Front, Adrenaline OD, Cro-Mags, and Murphy’s Law was very inspiring. It opened up a whole different element for us, and it was just great.”
When you reflect on your early years as a drummer, who were some of your biggest influences, and do you feel they still shape your style today?
„Growing up, my influences were everything I heard on the radio in the family car, so I’d pick up on this and that. The Beatles were huge, and from there I got into Kiss, Led Zeppelin, etc. I always noticed the drummers first, just like guitar players pick up on the guitar in a band. For me, it was always the drums, I remember being so connected to it. As I got older, I started to appreciate drumming even more. By the time I was around 10 to 13, I thought, “Wow, this is it, this is what I want to do.” Drummers like Peter Criss, Neil Peart, John Bonham, Keith Moon, and later Simon Phillips and Terry Bozzio all influenced me. It was a melting pot of everything I loved, and it helped me become the drummer that I am today.”
You’re known for pioneering double-bass drumming in thrash metal. Can you tell us how you developed that technique and what inspired you to incorporate it into your style so heavily?
„Back in ’82-83, I decided to add another bass drum on my left side so I could play songs like Overkill by Motörhead and Judas Priest tracks. Then a band from Germany called Accept came out with Restless and Wild, and the song Fast as a Shark really helped me develop my double-bass skills. From there, I just took it to another level, and it became a big part of Anthrax’s sound, driven by the double kicks and fast rhythm guitar playing. The double kicks really, really made a difference in the band’s sound.”
Anthrax is currently working on a new album. Can you share anything about the musical direction and how far along are you in the recording process? Do you have any plans for its release?
„We’re currently working on a new album, and it’s taking forever to do because we want to make it really special. The whole mood around the record is about the journey of where we started and where we’re going. I’m not sure if the journey’s over yet, but this record has been a journey for sure. We went through a lot, from the pandemic to members stepping away temporarily to do other things, then coming back, so we’re taking what we learned and put it in the album. We’ve just been recording nonstop. (laughs) I actually worked on a new song today and sent out the demo. So, it’s still a work in progress, but we definitely plan to release it next year, and I’m looking forward to that.”
You’ve been a creative force not only musically but also artistically with album designs. What is your process for creating the artwork for each album, and how do you ensure the visuals connect with each album’s themes?
„It takes a few songs to get the vibe of the record. After about six or seven songs are completed, I get a feel for the vision and title of the record and then just take it from there. This new one has different concepts and looks I’ve been working on. I always aim to make a great album package—I don’t want to cheat the fans out of that. Nowadays, people don’t really care about album covers and liner notes, but to me, it’s still important, so I want to make it interesting for our fans. I think it’s great for the people to have something tangible to enjoy while they listen. There’s nothing like opening up a record, smelling the paper – it’s such a great experience and I don’t want to take that away from our fans.”
Anthrax has played alongside Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer as part of the ‘Big Four’ tour. What did it mean to be part of that historic event, and what were some of the most memorable or standout moments from those shows?
„Being part of the Big Four was some of the best times I’ve had with the band. It was a very special experience. I definitively tried to live in the moment and appreciate everything about those days and nights. I wish we could do more of those shows, it would be awesome.”
You’re also drumming for Pantera. How did that opportunity come about, and what has the experience been like for you in honoring such a legendary legacy?
„I was really good friends with all those guys, especially Dimebag. I stayed in touch with Philip, Rex, and of course Vinnie. When the time came, Phil called me up and said I was the only one they wanted for this. It wasn’t just because I could play those songs, but also because of the bond we shared and how close I was to those guys. For me, playing with Pantera is something I never take for granted. I appreciate every moment of it. I’m honoring Vinny and Dime, but also Philip and Rex—they’re a big part of this too. I love doing this, and I hope to do it as long as we possibly can.”
When performing with Pantera, are there any differences in how you approach the drums compared to your work with Anthrax?
„Yes, there’s definitely a different approach. Space and groove are very important in Pantera. It’s not just about speed or crazy fills like in Anthrax songs. In Pantera there’s a groove, there’s space, and an aggression to it. When I feel it, the hair on my arm stands up, and that’s the emotion I want to convey to the audience.”
You’ve performed in Budapest before. Do you have any memorable experiences from past shows here?
„The last time I played in Budapest was with Pantera. We played two shows, so I had four days there. The city was beautiful. I remember Def Leppard was staying in the same hotel as us, and we’d have dinner and drinks together—it was a great time. I loved Budapest and the warmth of the people there. As an American, I don’t like travelling as much as I once did, but when I go to a place that I feel connected to, it’s a great experience and amazing feeling.”
Where do you see the future of thrash metal going? Are there any trends or changes in the metal scene that you’re excited about?
„I can’t say for sure where it’s going because I don’t know where the future of music is going. Music is very disposable today. People don’t appreciate music the way they once did. If people had to buy music again, maybe they’d value it more. But now it’s like $14 a month to get everything, which is just ridiculous. It may sound a bit extreme, but it’s like let me spend $14 at Amazon a month and then I could buy anything I want. Musicians were the first to get hurt by this shift, and it’s frustrating because no one’s doing anything about it. Spotify really shortchanges us. I could probably make more money selling lemonade on a corner than from Spotify streams.”
Finally, looking back on your career, what achievements are you most proud of, and what do you hope will define Anthrax’s legacy in metal history?
„Looking back on my career, I remember and look very fondly on everyone who helped us along the way, some of whom are sadly no longer here. I was 20 years old, going on tour, and wondering, “What am I doing?” (laughs) It’s been an incredible journey, which is still going. I’m not sure how to define the legacy except that our body of work will live on. New fans come and discover it, and to them, it’s new music, even though it was recorded before they were born. Seeing younger fans at our shows, whether for Anthrax or Pantera, is the best feeling. Music is the language that speaks to people in a way that it just hits you, and it still hits me deeply every day. I will listen to something that maybe I hadn’t heard in a long time, or I discover something new, and it just hits me in such an emotional way, it’s just a great thing. I appreciate music and everyone who loves it, so I’m looking forward to playing for everyone in the UK and Europe. See you soon!”
–
(Alternative cover of Hammerworld November digital issue.)
