When Anthrax takes the stage at Black Sabbath‘s highly anticipated reunion concert this summer, it will mark a significant full-circle moment for drummer Charlie Benante. As a child, his mother once prohibited the band’s merchandise from entering their home, showcasing the complexities of growing up in a household with strict values.

The star-studded “Back to the Beginning” concert is set to commence on July 5 in the historic city of Birmingham, England, the birthplace of Black Sabbath. This remarkable event will double as Ozzy Osbourne‘s farewell concert and will feature an impressive lineup of rock and metal legends, including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Mastodon, Rival Sons, and many more.

Anthrax last shared the stage with Black Sabbath at the 2005 Download Festival, and the band members have expressed their deep personal and professional admiration for these metal pioneers in a recently released joint statement, highlighting the profound impact Black Sabbath has had on their music.

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Discover the Reasons Behind Charlie Benante’s Black Sabbath Shirt Ban

“I’m a massive fan of Black Sabbath,” Benante shared, reflecting on the band’s profound influence on his own group, Anthrax. He elaborated, “Black Sabbath was instrumental in shaping our sound back in the day. In 1986, while we were working on our third album, we aimed to create a B-side cover of a Black Sabbath song. We ultimately chose ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,’ which we performed live and it quickly became a significant part of our identity.”

However, Benante’s appreciation for the band was not always welcomed in his household. “Growing up in a Catholic family, my mother had a strong disapproval of Black Sabbath,” he recounted. “One day, my sister took me to a record store where I purchased an iron-on t-shirt featuring the cover of ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.’ When I brought it home, my mother saw it and insisted that my sister return it immediately. She refused to allow anything with the ‘666’ symbol in our house. Despite this, my love for Black Sabbath never faded; I had to keep it hidden from her.”

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Anthrax Members Express Their Enthusiasm for Black Sabbath’s Legacy

The other members of Anthrax are equally thrilled to be included in the “Back to the Beginning” concert lineup. Guitarist Scott Ian fondly remembers unearthing the band’s self-titled debut album at the tender age of eight, thanks to his teenage uncle’s influence.

“Everyone recognizes how that record opens with the eerie sound effects, rain, and the ominous bell, followed by the band launching into action … it’s truly unmatched,” Ian exclaims. “At that time, it was the most terrifying and heavy music I had ever encountered. Even now, when the song ‘Black Sabbath’ begins, it still resonates deeply with me. I started playing the guitar around the age of ten, heavily inspired by Tony Iommi, and I would spend countless hours trying to master ‘Iron Man’ or ‘Paranoid.’ To me, listening to those records was like being taught guitar by Tony Iommi himself.”

Frontman Joey Belladonna also reminisced about Anthrax‘s early experiences sharing the stage with Black Sabbath. “We toured with them on the ’86 tour, and the energy was electric,” he stated. “That tour was monumental for us, and we felt incredibly honored to be part of it. Being invited to join Black Sabbath for their ‘Back to the Beginning’ concert is a tremendous honor for Anthrax.”

Listen to Anthrax’s Rendition of ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’