As two of the so-called “Big Four” bands of thrash metal, Anthrax and Slayer have a long and loud history together. So it only made sense that the former would join the latter for their retirement tour.
As it turns out, Anthrax agreed to come along for the ride before they even knew it would be the last one of Slayer’s career.
“We’re very close, good friends with Slayer, for forever. … I’d heard rumors about it and I’d talked to the guys about it, and they said, ‘Yeah, soon, soon, soon.’ And after we were booked, that’s when we found out it was the farewell tour,” Anthrax bassist Frank Bello said in a phone call from the tour bus on the way to Dallas.