Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante joins Mitch for episode 219 of One On One With Mitch Lafon. In the episode's only interview Anthrax's Charlie Benante discusses the band's new album For All Kings, the writing process, the band's upcoming tour with Slayer and Death Angel, Anthrax during the '90s, looking back at the band's best moments in their 35 year history as well as the “what were we thinking moments”, Among The Living and changing direction after Persistence Of Time, their State Of Euphoria image and much more.

On wanting to make a new album (time - 1.20): "Not hearing the type of music that I like; the way I used to hear it is another reason to create your own."

On writing for Anthrax with Scott Ian (time - 4.26): "I stepped up and Scott stepped up. Scott took more of the lyrics side of things and I took more of the music side of things. We just had a really good relationship that way and it worked really well."

On his guitar playing (time - 6.46): "I push myself really hard as a guitar player even more so than a drummer because I still feel that I'm developing as a guitar player."

On his highlights of Anthrax's 35 years: (time - 11.07) - "One of the greatest things that ever happened to us is that a record label signed us."

(time - 11.58): "The Among The Living record - that's the record that gave us a career."

(time - 13.05): "Playing Yankee Stadium was probably one of the highlights for the band and me, personally. I grew up there and being able to play in this stadium that has so much history, having my mom there. That was, like, the last show she ever saw. I was so happy that it got to that..."

Any “too stupid for our own good” moments? (time - 14.12): "I don't have many regrets. I just wish that, at the time, maybe we weren't so arrogant about things or even ignorant about certain things."

(time- 14.41): "There was that period in the '90s that it wasn't good, but I don't think we could have prevented what was happening. Heavy metal was just a bad name."

Persistence Of Time: (time - 20.38): "That record was more of a darker period for us."

Moving on from Persistence Of Time: (time - 24.53): "To make it short and sweet - I just think we were young and arrogant and we didn't have enough people around us to tell us, 'No'. When I look back at it, I wish we had a little more guidance."

Slayer, with special guests Anthrax and Death Angel, will join forces this fall for a seven week North American beat down. The dates start in Cleveland on September 9th and will hit both major and secondary markets across the continent. Confirmed dates, as well as a tour trailer video, are below.

General on-sale begins this Friday, May 13th at 10 AM, local time. For all ticket purchasing and VIP packages details, head here.

Said Slayer's Kerry King, "It's always super fun for us to tour with Anthrax. Frank is one of my best friends in the biz!! Put that together with Death Angel, and fans will probably see the best package this year. See you there!"

Fans will hear their favourite Slayer songs from the band's 30-year plus discography, as well as a few of the newer songs from Repentless. Slayer and Anthrax stormed through Europe together last fall, amassing a string of sensational live reviews, so North American fans, this will be a night of metal music that should not be missed.

"We are very excited to tour again with our fellow Kings Slayer on a thrash/metal extravaganza," said Anthrax's Charlie Benante. "Two of the Big Four - now that's a night of metal for all the Kings and Queens!"

Added Mark Osegueda from Death Angel, "We are thrilled and honored to be part of this amazing North American touring package. Slayer/Anthrax/Death Angel - it just looks, sounds and feels right. This will be Death Angel's first-ever tour with Slayer, something we've hungered for our entire career. And we will bring that hunger to the stage every night, so get there early because this will be a show not to be missed; from the first note of the night until the very last! Metal is alive, hungry, thriving, and coming for you!"

With more dates to be announced, here is the confirmed itinerary:

September
9 - Jacob's Pavilion - Cleveland, OH
10 - Freedom Hill Amphitheatre - Detroit, MI
12 - Sound Academy - Toronto, ON
13 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC
15 - Stage AE - Pittsburgh, PA
17/18 - Rock Allegiance - Chester, PA*
20 - Egyptian Room - Indianapolis, IN
22 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO
27 - Hard Rock Live - Orlando, FL
28 - Fillmore - Miami, FL
30 - Horseshoe Casino Tunica - Tunica, MS

October
3 - Norva - Norfolk, VA
5 - Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA
7 - Gas Monkey Live - Dallas, TX
8 - ACL at the Moody Theatre - Austin, TX
10 - Fillmore - Denver, CO
11 - The Complex - Salt Lake City, UT
13 - The Wilma Theatre - Missoula, MT
17 - ENMAX Center - Lethbridge, AB
19 - South Okanagan Events Centre - Penticton, BC
20 - Abbotsford Centre - Abbotsford, BC
23 - Reno Events Center - Reno, NV
27 - El Paso County Coliseum - El Paso, TX

* Slayer, Anthrax and Death Angel are all on this bill