Frank Bello Unveils New Spector Bass and Teases ANTHRAX’s 2025 Plans at NAMM
At the 2025 NAMM convention in Anaheim,California,ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello took center stage to discuss his new signature Spector bass and the band’s highly anticipated plans for the year. Speaking to American Musical Supply, Bello shared his excitement about the upcoming ANTHRAX record, their first in nearly eight years.
“We have a new ANTHRAX record [coming out]. And it’s been about eight years.[[[[Laughs]It’s been a while,” Bello said. “This bass will be shown everywhere we go. We’re gonna start touring. The record’s supposed to come out September, October. So big touring plans. If you know ANTHRAX, you know what we do — we stay on the road for quite a while.There’s some very big shows being planned right now, which I can’t talk about, but I’m very psyched. So 2025 is the year.”
bello’s enthusiasm for his new Spector bass was palpable. “I’m glad that we have this[new[new[new[newSpector bass]ready in the chambers, because this bass is gonna go a long way, and I just can’t wait — I can’t wait, ’cause I know what I have on stage. I’m very psyched about it.”
The bassist recently returned to Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Northridge, California, to complete recording for the band’s follow-up to 2016’s “For All Kings”. This marks a meaningful milestone for ANTHRAX, who have been teasing new material for years.
Bello’s return to the stage with ANTHRAX at the Aftershock festival in Sacramento, California, on October 12, 2024, was a triumphant moment after a nearly year-and-a-half hiatus. Though, not all performances went as planned. The band’s scheduled appearance at the louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Kentucky, was canceled due to severe weather.Earlier in 2024, Bello temporarily stepped away from ANTHRAX’s South American tour and two U.S. festival dates for “personal reasons.” Stepping in was founding member Dan Lilker, marking his first appearance with the band in 40 years. Lilker,who co-wrote and played on ANTHRAX’s debut album “Fistful Of Metal”,also shared history with drummer Charlie Benante and guitarist Scott Ian in STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH.
Beyond ANTHRAX,Bello made waves in 2024 with his live debut alongside Norwegian black metal legends SATYRICON at the Sweden Rock festival. He continued to tour with the band throughout the summer, including appearances at Hellfest in France and Tons Of Rock in Norway.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Bello released a memoir in October 2021 titled “Fathers, Brothers, And Sons: Surviving Anguish, Abandonment, And Anthrax”, with a foreword by KISS bassist Gene Simmons.
As ANTHRAX gears up for a monumental 2025, Bello’s new spector bass is set to take center stage. The bassist exclusively used Spector instruments during the band’s fall 2024 European co-headlining tour with KREATOR and TESTAMENT, solidifying his partnership with the brand.
| key Highlights | Details |
|—————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| New ANTHRAX Album | First in eight years, set for release September/October 2025 |
| Frank Bello’s Signature Spector Bass | Unveiled at NAMM 2025, to be featured on upcoming tour |
| Recent Performances | Aftershock Festival (October 2024), SATYRICON summer 2024 European tour |
| Memoir | “Fathers, Brothers, And Sons” released October 2021, foreword by Gene Simmons |
With a new album, a signature bass, and a packed touring schedule, Frank Bello and ANTHRAX are poised to make 2025 a year to remember. Stay tuned for more updates as the band prepares to hit the road and unleash their latest masterpiece.
Frank Bello Talks New Spector Bass, ANTHRAX’s 2025 Plans, and the Band’s Comeback at NAMM 2025
Table of Contents
- Frank Bello Talks New Spector Bass, ANTHRAX’s 2025 Plans, and the Band’s Comeback at NAMM 2025
- The New ANTHRAX Album: A Long-Awaited Masterpiece
- The Signature Spector Bass: A Game-Changer for the Stage
- ANTHRAX’s 2025 Touring Plans: Big Shows and Big Energy
- Overcoming Challenges: From Hiatus to Triumph
- Collaborations and Side Projects: SATYRICON and Beyond
- Reflecting on the Journey: From Fistful of Metal to 2025
- Conclusion: A Monumental Year Ahead
At the 2025 NAMM convention in Anaheim, California, ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello made waves with the unveiling of his new signature Spector bass and teased the band’s highly anticipated plans for the year. In an exclusive interview with world-today-news.com, Bello sat down with Senior Editor Jessica Carter to discuss the band’s upcoming album, their touring schedule, and the importance of his new instrument.Here’s what he had to say.
The New ANTHRAX Album: A Long-Awaited Masterpiece
Jessica Carter: Frank, it’s been nearly eight years since ANTHRAX’s last album, For All Kings. What can fans expect from the new record?
Frank Bello: Oh, man, it’s been a long time coming, and I’m so excited about this one. We’ve been working on it for a while now, and it’s shaping up to be something really special. The record is set to drop in september or October 2025, and I can tell you, it’s got that classic ANTHRAX energy but with a fresh twist. We’ve poured everything into this, and I think fans are gonna love it.
The Signature Spector Bass: A Game-Changer for the Stage
Jessica Carter: You unveiled your new signature Spector bass at NAMM 2025. What makes this instrument so special to you?
Frank Bello: This bass is a dream come true. Spector has been incredible to work with, and this instrument is just perfect for what I need on stage. it’s got the tone, the feel, and the look that I’ve always wanted. I’ve been using Spector basses on our recent tours, including the European run with KREATOR and TESTAMENT, and it’s been a game-changer. I can’t wait to take this new one on the road with us in 2025.
ANTHRAX’s 2025 Touring Plans: Big Shows and Big Energy
Jessica Carter: You mentioned big touring plans for 2025. Can you give us any hints about what’s in store?
Frank Bello: [Laughs] I wish I coudl spill all the details, but ther are some very big shows being planned right now that I can’t talk about yet. What I can say is that if you know ANTHRAX, you know we don’t do anything halfway. We’re gonna be out there for a long time, hitting as many places as we can. It’s gonna be a wild ride, and I’m so psyched to get back on stage with the guys.
Overcoming Challenges: From Hiatus to Triumph
Jessica Carter: The band faced some challenges in 2024, including your temporary hiatus and the cancellation of the Louder Than Life festival. How did those experiences shape the band’s approach to 2025?
Frank Bello: It’s been a rollercoaster, without a doubt. Stepping away for personal reasons was tough, but it was necessary. Coming back at the Aftershock festival in October 2024 was such a powerful moment for me and the band. It reminded us why we do this and how much we love connecting with our fans. Those challenges made us stronger, and now we’re more focused than ever on making 2025 our best year yet.
Collaborations and Side Projects: SATYRICON and Beyond
Jessica Carter: Outside of ANTHRAX, you’ve been busy with other projects, including touring with SATYRICON. How has that experience influenced your work with ANTHRAX?
Frank Bello: Touring with SATYRICON was an incredible experience. It’s always inspiring to work with other musicians and explore different styles of music. It definitely brought some fresh energy and ideas back to ANTHRAX. Plus, it was just a lot of fun to step into a different world for a bit.But ultimately, ANTHRAX is my home, and I’m so excited to bring everything I’ve learned back to the band.
Reflecting on the Journey: From Fistful of Metal to 2025
Jessica Carter: Looking back at ANTHRAX’s journey, from the debut album Fistful of Metal to where you are now, what stands out to you the most?
Frank Bello: It’s been an amazing ride. We’ve been through so much together as a band, and I think what stands out the most is how we’ve always stayed true to ourselves.We’ve never tried to be anything we’re not, and I think that’s why our fans have stuck with us for so long.It’s been 40 years since Fistful of Metal,and here we are,still making music and still having a blast. That’s something I’m really proud of.
Conclusion: A Monumental Year Ahead
As Frank Bello and ANTHRAX gear up for 2025, the excitement is palpable. With a new album, a signature Spector bass, and a packed touring schedule, the band is ready to make this their biggest year yet. Fans can expect high-energy performances, new music, and plenty of surprises as ANTHRAX hits the road to unleash their latest masterpiece. Stay tuned for more updates as the band prepares to take the world by storm.
