Back in 1988, all of the members of Anthrax were big Iron Maiden fans. Not only did they love Maiden’s music, but they appreciated and learned from the band’s professionalism, the way they cared about their road crew and their fans, examples they apply to this day with their own crew and fanbase. In support of Anthrax’s then new album Persistence of Time, the band did two major tours with Iron Maiden – the 1988 European leg of “Monsters of Rock,” and the European and North American legs of Maiden’s “No Prayer for the Dying” in 1990-91.
Over the course of the two tours, drummer Charlie Benante took over for Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain at one show, playing “Number of The Beast,” “Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter,” and the show’s closer, “Sanctuary.” For Anthrax’s final show of the “No Prayer for the Dying” tour, Salt Lake City, UT on March 19, 1991, the band joined Maiden on stage to perform the closer “Sanctuary.” Check out Episode Three: “Iron Maiden” HERE.
Anthrax’s Persistence of Time 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will be released on August 21 (Megaforce Records) and can be pre-ordered HERE. Complete details on the package are accessible HERE.
Check out the previous episodes that tell the stories behind Anthrax’s Persistence of Time album and touring cycle.
Episode One: “Dali”
Episode Two: “Public Enemy and Bring The Noise'”
In 2021, Anthrax will celebrate its 40th anniversary, four decades during which time the band has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations and a host of other accolades from the media, the music industry and fans. In 1991 the band helped break down race and genre barriers when they collaborated with Public Enemy on the track “Bring The Noise,” and was the first metal band to have its music heard on Mars when NASA played ” Got The Time” to wake up the Mars Rover in 2012. Along with Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth, Anthrax is a card-carrying member of The Big Four, the four bands that defined the speed/thrash/metal genre. Taking advantage of COVID-19’s prohibition of concert touring, the band is already hard at work writing the next Anthrax album.
