ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante (pictured second from the right) is featured in a new interview with Brandon Marshall at Denver Westword. An excerpt is available below:

Q: Why do you think thrash metal has such a global appeal, and were you surprised to see places like Brazil and Germany become such a hotbed for it?

Benante: "Well, let me tell you something about the South American audiences: They are probably some of the best audiences that hard rock and heavy metal bands will ever play to. They are so devoted and so passionate about the music. It's amazing to see that. I love it. I'm not talking bad about other places, like America, or parts of Europe, or whatever, but sometimes they get a little jaded because they get it so often. You go down to South America, where they don't get it so often, and you can just see how much they appreciate it. It's a different vibe, man. They fucking' let it all go."

Q: You popularized the blast beat technique and opened the doors for drummers. Did you ever think you would see blast beat competitions and every drummer trying to outdo one another for beats per minute?

Benante: "When that certain drumming style was created, it was created because the song 'Milk' (S.O.D.) was so extreme. I never really continued with it, if you know what I mean, because, actually, we did two records, and both records were spaced out so much. I remember when 'Milk' first hit. People would ask me all the time 'What are you doing now? What is that actually?' and I then I would tell them. Certain styles of music just adapted to that style of drumming. In every song, pretty much, they were blasting, which is bombing. It just became a staple. Just like the 2/4 beat, now you've got the blast. To me, the black metal bands do it the best."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

As previously reported, Benante has announced the release of his own premium coffee blend. According to the under construction website: “A coffee fanatic practically since birth, Benante not only sports a badass Starbucks tattoo, he now creates his own bean blends and signature roasts under his own brand of java greatness - Benante's.”

The new website for the blend will launch later this summer.