Anthrax has revealed that Shadows Fall guitarist Jon Donais will fill in for the departing Rob Caggiano while the band fulfills its upcoming touring commitments. Donais will accompany Anthrax for festivals in India and Australia as well as on the North American Metal Alliance Tour.
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian issued the following statement on the band’s official Facebook page: “Jon is a bro and he’s also a total f**king ripper… I’ve worked with him twice before on side projects and he tears it up. I’m excited to have him on my right burning up the stage with Anthrax. 13′s gonna be a good year.”
Donais also commented on his inclusion to the band’s lineup: “I grew up on Anthrax, they’re the thrash scene, they’re one of The Big Four, I’d be crazy to not want to play with them,” he began. “Initially, Rob called and told me he was leaving the band, and asked if I’d be interested in filling in. Then Scott called me and everything fell into place. Rob and I are using Skype to work on solos and other guitar parts, so he’s being great. I also have to give special thanks to my band – Brian, Matt, Jason and Ed – who have been incredibly supportive and encouraged me to do this.”
Caggiano announced his departure from Anthrax at the beginning of the year, stating he’d like to concentrate on producing and other studio work.
Anthrax is expected to announce a new permanent lead guitarist in the months to come.
Meanwhile, Shadows Fall, who have tour dates scheduled from Jan. 26 through April 19, is yet to reveal who will be filling in for Donais on the block of dates that conflict with his stint on Anthrax’s trek.
Dates for Anthrax’s upcoming concerts with Jon Donais on guitar are as follows:
(India)
FEBRUARY
16 Fly Festival, Delhi (with Limp Bizkit, Mastodon)
17 Fly Festival, Bangalore (with Limp Bizkit, Mastodon)
(Australia – all dates with Metallica, Slayer, Linkin Park, more)
FEBRUARY
23 Soundwave Festival 2013, Brisbane
24 Soundwave Festival 2013, Sydney
MARCH
1 Soundwave Festival 2013, Melbourne
2 Soundwave Festival 2013, Adelaide
4 Soundwave Festival 2013, Perth
(Metal Alliance Tour/North America – all dates with with Exodus, High on Fire, Municipal Waste, Holy Grail)
MARCH
22 House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
23 House of Blues, Las Vegas, NV
24 Marquee, Tempe, AZ
25 House of Blues, San Diego, CA
27 House of Blues, Los Angeles, CA
28 Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA
29 Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
30 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC CANADA
31 Showbox SODO, Seattle, WA
APRIL
2 Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO
4 First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN
5 House of Blues, Chicago, IL
6 The Fillmore, Detroit, MI
7 Bogart’s, Cincinnati, OH
9 House of Blues, Dallas, TX
10 House of Blues, Houston, TX
12 House of Blues, Orlando, FL
13 Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte, NC
14 Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD
16 House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
18 Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
20 Irving Plaza, New York, NY
For tour tickets visit: http://cncrt.ly/MetalAllianceTour