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Joey Belladonna
Background information
Birth name	Joseph Bellardini
Born	(1960-10-13) October 13, 1960 (age 52) Oswego, New York, US
Genres	Thrash metal, heavy metal
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	vocals, drums, turntables
Years active	1984–present
Associated acts	Anthrax, Belladonna, Chief Big Way

Joey Belladonna (born Joseph Bellardini, October 13, 1960, Oswego, New York) is a thrash metal musician, best known as the current vocalist for the thrash metal band Anthrax. He is part Native American (from modern-day Canada) on his mother's side (who is Iroquois^[1]) and part Italian American.^[2] He is also the vocalist and drummer of the cover band Chief Big Way.

Career [edit]

Anthrax [edit]

Joey Belladonna was the lead singer of Anthrax from 1984 to 1992, and was considered part of the classic-lineup (also featuring Dan Spitz, Scott Ian, Frank Bello and Charlie Benante).

Belladonna returned to the band when the "classic" lineup reunited and toured during 2005 and 2006.^[3]

His voice has been featured on 5 studio albums and several EPs that have sold a total of 8 million copies worldwide. During Belladonna's first tenure with Anthrax, the band was nominated for three Grammys, and he was voted the #1 metal singer two years in a row in Metal Forces Magazine. ^[4] The term "Thrash Metal" was first referred to by the music press was UK's Kerrang Magazine journalist Malcolm Dome while making a reference to the Anthrax song "Metal Thrashing Mad" in Kerrang issue number 62, page 8 published on February 23, 1984. Prior to this Metallica James Hetfield referred to their sound as Power Metal

In early 2010, Belladonna officially rejoined Anthrax in time for the "Big Four" shows at the Sonisphere festival. Following these and other shows, Belladonna returned to the studio with the band to record new vocals for their long awaited album Worship Music.^[5]

Belladonna [edit]

After his departure from Anthrax in 1992, Joey Belladonna continued to make music in a band called Belladonna, which can be considered more of a solo project than a band.

In the mid 90s Belladonna released its debut album (a self-titled) which was received well by both critics and fans alike. The second album, Spells of Fear, was released in 1998 and was heavily criticized. The third album (or rather the demo recordings of the third album that was never professionally recorded), was self-released by the band in 2003. It was a return to better songwriting and musicianship and like the debut album it was well received by the fans.

It is unknown if Joey Belladonna will continue to move forward with the band in the future, having re-joined Anthrax as a full-time member since the group's latest album.

Discography [edit]

Belladonna solo [edit]

Anthrax [edit]

EPs [edit]

• Armed and Dangerous (1985)
• I'm the Man (1987) (includes live tracks)
• Penikufesin (1989) (only released in Europe, collection of State of Euphoria sessions)
• Attack of the Killer B's (1991) (promo release, includes live tracks)

Compilation albums [edit]

• Fistful of Metal (1984) (only released in Japan)
• Attack of the Killer B's (1991) (collection of live, raraties and previously unreleased material)
• Moshers: 1986-1991 (1998) (import release)
• Return of the Killer A's (1999)
• Madhouse - The Very Best of Anthrax (2001)
• The Collection (2002)
• Universal Masters Collection (2002)
• Anthrology: No Hit Wonders (1985-1991) (2005)
• Sin-Atra (2011)

Live albums [edit]

• The Island Years (1994) (recorded live in 1991 and 1992)
• Alive 2 (2005)

VHS/DVDs [edit]

• US Speed Metal Attack (1986) (split video with Agent Steel and Overkill, recorded live in Germany)
• Oidivnikufesin (1987) (recorded live at Hammersmith Odeon)
• Through Time (P.O.V.) (1990)
• Live Noize (1991) (recorded live on the Persistence of Time tour)
• White Noise: The Videos (1994) (released only in Japan, complete collection of the Sound of White Noise music videos)
• Attack Of The Killer A's (1999) (includes live performances of the Persistence of Time tour)
• Rock Legends (2004)
• Anthrax Anthralogy: The DVD (2005) (includes live performances)
• Alive 2 (2005) (DVD version)

References [edit]

1. ^ "Joey Belladonna: We have something special going". PapaTomski Blog. Retrieved 2012-05-25. 
2. ^ "Friday 13th Metal". Friday 13th Metal. Retrieved 2011-10-29. 
3. ^ Modern Guitars^{[dead link]}
4. ^ Dome, Malcolm (23 February 1984). "Anthrax 'Fistful Of Metal'". Kerrang! 62. London, UK: Spotlight Publications Ltd. p. 8.  |accessdate= requires |url= (help)
5. ^ "Blabbermouth". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2011-10-29.