Anthrax Discuss the Belladonna/Bush Swap in New Retrospective Video

The latest episode of Anthrax’s ongoing Anthrax 40 for 40 anniversary retrospective series brings us to a very dramatic point in the band’s career: the firing of longtime singer Joey Belladonna in 1992, and the subsequent hiring of his successor, Armored Saint’s John Bush.

At the risk of getting all Jonathan Schwartz-y on you… this episode punched my nostalgia ticket and but hard.

I was eleven when Bushthrax’s debut, Sound of White Noise, came out. I’d been listening to metal for about a year, and I of course knew who Anthrax were and had seen their infamous Married… with Children appearance. But through circumstance, Sound of White Noise was the first Anthrax album I ever purchased (I even remember where I purchased it — J&R, R.I.P.). I listened to it for the first time on the bus on the way to sleepaway camp for the summer. The record rocked my little pre-pubescent world. I got super pissed when a counselor tried to get me to take of my headphones mid-listen.

I’ve accepted that John Bush is Anthrax’s Roger Moore, not their Sean Connery. But I will forever carry Bushthrax’s torch, and I maintain now and for all time that Sound of White Noise is their best album.

And on that note… watch the episode below!

Catch up on previous episodes at these links:

• Episode I
• Episode II
• Episode III
• Episode IV
• Episode V
• Episodes VI & VII
• Episode VIII
• Episode IX
• Episode X
• Episode XI
• Episode XII
• Episode XIII
• Episode XIV
• Episodes XV & XVI

Anthrax have a career-spanning livestream extravaganza scheduled for July 16, which is their fortieth anniversary to the date. Getcha ticket here.