ANTHRAX has announced that bassist Frank Bello will be unable to join the band on their upcoming South American tour and a couple of U.S. festival dates in May due to personal reasons. Stepping in for Bello during these shows will be Dan Lilker, an original member of ANTHRAX and a key contributor to the band’s early sound.
Lilker, who last played with ANTHRAX 40 years ago, expressed excitement about rejoining the band, humorously noting that they had predicted he might be needed in the future. Lilker’s return marks a significant moment, given his historical role in shaping the band’s early music, including co-writing and performing on their debut album, *Fistful of Metal*.
The band has welcomed Lilker’s involvement, highlighting their enthusiasm for reconnecting with him and appreciating his willingness to fill in for Bello. ANTHRAX will be performing in several South American countries, including Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil. Additionally, Lilker will join them for U.S. festival appearances in Daytona Beach and Columbus.
Frank Bello issued a statement expressing his regret at missing the upcoming shows but reassured fans that everything is fine on his end. He thanked Lilker for stepping in and expressed confidence that the shows will be fantastic.
Dan Lilker has kept busy over the years with numerous other projects, including bands like NUCLEAR ASSAULT, BRUTAL TRUTH, and EXIT-13. His extensive career has kept him active and influential in the heavy metal and hardcore scenes.
The tour dates featuring Lilker are:
– April 13 – MXMF The Metal Fest, Ciudad De México, Mexico
– April 15 – Cancha Diamante, San Salvador, El Salvador
– April 17 – Pepper’s, San Jose, Costa Rica
– April 19 – The Metal Fest, Quito, Ecuador
– April 21 – The Metal Fest, Santiago, Chile
– April 23 – Sala de Museo, Montevideo, Uruguay
– April 25 – El Teatro Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina
– April 28 – Summer Breeze Open Air, São Paulo, Brazil
– May 09 – Welcome to Rockville, Daytona Beach, FL
– May 17 – Sonic Temple Festival, Columbus, OH
ANTHRAX’s 40th anniversary celebrations in 2021 included a series of video testimonials from former and current members, honoring their legacy and marking significant milestones in their career. Despite his departure from the band, Lilker has maintained a positive outlook on his time with ANTHRAX and his subsequent work in other bands.
