WHAT WENT DOWN
Charlie Benante injured his right hand and will sit out Anthrax shows from June 20 through July 4 on doctor’s orders *‡. Session drummer Darby Todd is filling in while the band continues their European tour supporting Iron Maiden *‡.
THE DETAILS
- Benante announced the injury June 20, the same day Anthrax played Hellfest in Clisson, France with Todd behind the kit *‡
- The two-week absence covers festival slots at Hellfest, Tons Of Rock, Copenhell, Resurrection Festival, and Rock Imperium Festival *
- Todd already stepped in for Benante once this tour — on May 23 in Athens when Benante was touring Germany with Pantera ‡
- Todd has toured with Devin Townsend and played with The Darkness, Robert Plant, and holds both U.K. and U.S. passports ‡
- Anthrax releases their first album in a decade, *Cursum Perficio*, September 18 via Nuclear Blast and Megaforce *‡
THE TAKE
Todd covering both the Athens show and this injury stretch means Anthrax had a reliable backup already dialed in when Benante went down. Benante has drummed for Anthrax since 1983 and currently juggles both this band and Pantera’s touring schedule ‡.