Anthrax’s Charlie Benante Sitting Out Current European Tour Dates

Anthrax's Charlie Benante will miss at least the first portion of the band's upcoming European trek, with frequent fill-in Jon Dette once again stepping up to help out.

According to a release issued by Nuclear Blast Europe, Benante is still recovering from carpal tunnel surgery and has been undergoing physical therapy. While he did recently perform with the band at the Carolina Rebellion and Beale Street festivals, the drummer says he realized he still needs a little bit more time to be physically ready, and is sitting out the beginning of the recently launched trek.

"Playing those shows, I realized I'm just not quite there yet," says Benante. "Especially for the schedule Anthrax has on these European dates. I'm hoping to join the tour for the last couple of weeks, but until then, we all appreciate that Jon can sit in for me."

The drummer definitely expects to be back at full strength by the time Anthrax returns to the road in North America later this summer, including their appearance at Heavy Montreal and on Motorhead's Motorboat Cruise in September.

After their scheduled summer performances, Anthrax will return to the studio to finish writing their follow-up to the 'Worship Music' album.

Watch Scott Ian Discuss the Upcoming Anthrax Album