Dave Fortman mixing new Anthrax album

Dave Fortman, a member of Ugly Kid Joe, who has also worked with artists such as Mudvayne, Evanescence, and Slipknot, began mixing the new Anthrax album, Worship Music, late last week in a New Orleans studio. The album, now set for a Fall release, is the band's first studio effort in six years and marks the recording debut of new lead vocalist Dan Nelson.

Commented Fortman, "In 1986, I saw two shows at Jed's in New Orleans that changed my life, one of those was Anthrax. Not long after, I packed up and headed out to make a career in music. Twenty-three years later, it's an absolute pleasure and an honor to work with these guys. They are and always have been one of the great forces in metal."

According to Anthrax - longtime members Scott Ian (rhythm guitar), Frank Bello (bass), Charlie Benante (drums), and Rob Caggiano (lead guitar). and Nelson - confirmed tracks include "Vampires," "Crawl," "The Devil You Know," "The Giant," "Fight 'em 'Til You Can't" and "Earth On Hell." The album was produced by Caggiano and Anthrax.

"I've always looked at the songs we write like our kids," admitted Scott Ian. "And you wouldn't want to let just anyone take care of your kids, right? Dave is helping us raise really f**king heavy kids."

From the band's point of view, having a true and personal understanding of the music you're mixing is the most important thing, and even more important with Worship Music as none of the Anthrax members would be present during the mixing process.

"Dave Fortman not only understands the music, he lives it," added Benante. "I was so happy when he sent over the first mix, it was all there, it was as if he put himself behind the kit, the mic, the bass. He listens to the song and sees what the song needs, and then he starts building it. We're all confident that Dave will dial it all in and make a monster for us. Like us, Dave worships music, and we like that."

Anthrax heads to Europe in June to play a series of major summer rock festivals, then returns to the U.S. to headline the first night of the third-annual, four-day Rocklahoma festival on July 9 in Prior, OK.

Anthrax is one of metal's all time great acts. Along with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth, they are credited with originating the thrash genre and the band has gone on to sell over 10-million albums worldwide and play to countless fans across the globe. The band has created such genre-defining albums as Among the Living, State of Euphoria, and Sound of White Noise, and such legendary tracks as "Metal Thrashing Mad," "Indians," "Caught In A Mosh," "Among the Living," "I Am The Law," "Only," and of course the Public Enemy collaboration that went on to spawn a new genre - "Bring the Noise."

Two thousand and nine marks the 25th anniversary of Anthrax's debut release, Fistful of Metal. To celebrate, Megaforce Records released a limited edition (only 2,000 copies were made) vinyl release of the album last week, on May 12, 2009. The package is spread over three 10-inch records in a tri-fold die cut jacket, and includes the group's 1985 EP, Armed and Dangerous. The Fistful of Metal vinyl limited edition reissue retails for $39.98 and is available at Anthrax's official website - www.anthrax.com - amazon.com and record stores across the U.S.