The lead vocalist drama of thrash metal originals Anthrax took another turn, as the band announced that they have rejoined forces with Joey Belladonna, the singer from their "classic" era (1984-1992). It's the latest turn that has now seen three names in the vocalist position over the last 10 months - Dan Nelson, John Bush, and now Belladonna. It's been seven years since the last Anthrax CD (2003's We've Come For You All), and if history is any judge, it will be another seven years until we hear new Anthrax.

Anthrax (read: guitarist Scott Ian and drummer Charlie Benante) are widely considered to have dropped the ball with the dissolution of the Dan Nelson lineup. Nelson, hired in 2007, recorded vocals for the band's 10th studio album, Worship Music, but was unceremoniously booted from Anthrax two years later. The blood was bad enough for Anthrax to shelf Worship Music while tentatively reuniting with John Bush (who sang for the band from 1992-2005). The waters were not still between Anthrax and Bush, who had been rudely shunted to the side when Anthrax jumped on the reunion bandwagon and joined forces with Belladonna from 2005 to 2007. It was only when Belladonna was not sold on the idea of a long-term return to Anthrax did the band recruit Dan Nelson. And now, after a few shows with Bush, Anthrax and Belladonna have come together again. So yes, Anthrax's lead singer position has been occupied by Belladonna, Bush, Nelson, Bush and now Belladonna again.

I wonder how much of this decision to reunite with Joey Belladonna was influenced by Dave Ellefson rejoining Megadeth. Anthrax are scheduled to play at the "Big Four" shows later this year, the first time in history that Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax will appear together. For such a historic event, the nostalgia factor is alarmingly high, and the reintroduction of Belladonna to the Anthrax ranks has a whiff of "gimmick" around it. There were the usual statements from Anthrax and Belladonna of how awesome this is and how good it feels, but I have to ask how long this lineup is going to last. The lead vocalist position is such a slippery gig that both John Bush and Joey Belladonna have their pokers in other fires - Bush has Armored Saint and Belladonna has his solo career. Commitments to those projects were the reason neither vocalist could commit to Anthrax full-time and long-term, and given Anthrax's track record with vocalists, it's hard to blame them.

Old school fans will no doubt rejoice at Belladonna's presence. In an era when his peers would grunt, scream or growl lyrics, Joey Belladonna was the only vocalist who injected any melody into his approach, and suited the lighter tone of Anthrax's music when compared to what Megadeth and Slayer were putting out at the time. The musical landscape has changed considerably since then, and while Belladonna's reunion might suit the Big Four shows, it remains to be seen if this lineup has a life once the nostalgia dies down.