After going across the US last year, Anthrax is coming back for more! After a full US Summer tour with two of metal's biggest names in Black Label Society and Hatebreed, a quick stint over in the UK and Europe with Municipal Waste, and handful of festival appearances including Mexico's Heaven and Hell open Air, New York's Anthrax has announced they're back for more, and they're bringing Black Label Society back around with them. Joining them this time in place of Hatebreed is fellow thrash metal titans Exodus.
Anthrax is currently celebrating its landmark 40th anniversary, playing a career-spanning set each night. Prior to the start of their set each night during the first leg, the band played a short video featuring celebrities spanning industries. From actors like Keanu Reeves, Norman Reedus, and Jason Momoa; to rock and metal titans like Corey Taylor, Rob Zombie, and Ozzy; to fellow Big 4 members Dave Mustaine, Robert Trujillo, and Kerry King; even John Carpenter and Lady Gaga chimed in with their love and appreciation for the band. It is yet to be seen if the band will continue to use their star-studded intro for this second leg of their anniversary tour, but if they go with another option, it will be very difficult to top such an exciting intro. But regardless of how the show opens, everyone knows exactly what’s coming, a full set of face-melting, neck-breaking, “Has it really been 40 years?” old-feeling thrash metal from The Big 4’s east coast representatives.
Soon after announcing the tour, Anthrax released a statement saying “We are so pumped to be hitting the road again with Black Label Society. We had such a great time when we toured with them earlier this year, that we had talked about doing it again when we were still on the road together. And, having the guys from Exodus on the bill as Special Guest, will definitely make this a tour not to miss.” Black Label Society’s Zakk Wylde, who is also joining Anthrax’s Charlie Benante in filling the legendary shoes left by the Abbott brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul for Pantera’s comeback shows, said “Anthrax is one of the bestest legendary metal/thrash bands of all time - I have been buds with Scotty, Charlie, Frankie and Joey for over 30 years and they are some of the bestest people you will meet. Jon is the bestest new addition Anthrax could ask for. The Anthrax + Black Label Society & Exodus tour is going to be one of the bestest tours ever!!” And former Big 4 member, and more famously guitarist of Exodus, Gary Holt, spoke on behalf of the band, saying “Exodus are super stoked to announce that we will be touring with Anthrax and Black Label Society. Touring with our long-time friends in Anthrax is always an epic good time, and now we get to tour with BLS and watch Zakk and company rip it up nightly too! Going to be awesome and we will be bringing our unique brand of audio violence to every city! Let the metal roll!”
Even though the band's official 40th anniversary passed in July of 2021, this extended celebration shows no sign of stopping. If you want on this hype train, check out the tour stops below and hop on board or get left Metal Thrashing Mad you missed out.
January 2023
17th Boise, ID @ Revolution Concert House
18th Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
20th Vancouver, BC @ PNE Forum
21st Penticton, BC @ So. Okanagan Events Ctr.
22nd Calgary, AB @ Grey Eagle Events Centre
24th Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings
25th Grand Forks, ND @ Alerus Center
27th Madison, WI @ The Sylvee
28th Mt. Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
29th Chicago, IL @ Radius
31st Montclair, NJ @ Wellmont Theater
February 2023
2nd Portland, ME @ Cross Insurance Arena
3rd Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
4th Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Events Center
5th Boston, MA @ House of Blues
7th Corbin, KY @ Corbin Arena
8th St. Louis, MO @ The Factory at The District
10th San Antonio, TX @ Tec Port Center + Arena
11th Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center
13th Wichita, KS @ The Cotillion
14th Oklahoma City, OK @ The Criterion
15th Albuquerque, NM @ Revel
17th Riverside, CA @ Riverside Municipal Auditorium
18th Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater