Although ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson has yet to publicly comment on his mysterious
illness that allegedly forced the band to cancel the first three shows of their
latest European tour, he has posted several cryptic messages on his Twitter
account in the last couple of days which suggest that there may be more to this
story than has thus far been revealed. In addition to deleting his "DanNAnthrax"
Twitter profile (cached Google page) on July 16, he has posted the following
messages on his "DanNelson76" account:

July 16, 3:47 a.m.: "Funny, I don't feel so lucky...Wonder what everyone is
talking about??"

July 16, 4:28 a.m.: "is done."

July 17, 7:54 p.m.: "loves his family and friends more than ANYTHING."

On Friday, July 17, ANTHRAX issued the following statement regarding the
European concert cancelations:

"The members of ANTHRAX regretfully announce that the first three shows of their
European tour scheduled to begin tomorrow, Saturday, July 18th, are canceled.
Yesterday, lead singer Dan Nelson unexpectedly informed the band that he was
seriously ill and unable to travel or perform at this time. Options for the
balance of ANTHRAX's European tour dates are being addressed posthaste. The
members of ANTHRAX are devastated by this unfortunate turn of events and ask all
of their fans to join them in wishing Dan the speediest of recoveries."

Affected dates:

July 18 - Sonisphere - Hultsfred, Sweden
July 19 - Vega Jr. - Copenhagen, Denmark
July 20 - Columbia Club - Berlin, Germany

ANTHRAX's new album, "Worship Music", will be released in Europe on October 23
via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD, which was mixed at a New Orleans studio by
Dave Fortman (a former member of UGLY KID JOE who has also worked with artists
such as MUDVAYNE, EVANESCENCE), is the band's first studio effort in six years
and marks the recording debut of Nelson.

About ANTHRAX's new singer and CD, drummer Charlie Benante previously stated,
"This album has been in the making for two and half, maybe three years. After
the reunion tour ended, we all went our separate ways. I started to write songs
again, but I had no voice for them in mind, I didn't know who would be the
singer. So Scott [Ian, guitar], Frankie [Bello, bass]and I got together and just
started putting some songs together. This was pretty much the way 'Spreading the
Disease' was done, too — we wrote those songs without a definite singer in
mind. Then, in October of 2007, I was talking to Rob Caggiano [guitar] who said
he found this guy in Long Island who he thought would be really good — Dan
Nelson. So I did some research, called him up, and flew him out to Chicago."

According to Bello, it didn't take much time to realize that they had found
their man. "Dan brought in the obligatory 'breath of fresh air,' but it really
WAS. He has a killer voice and he's a good guy, and really fits ANTHRAX. The guy
sings like nobody I've heard — I'm really proud of what he's done. This is the
new ANTHRAX — yes, it does sound different, but it's in the same heavy/melodic
vein. I don't compare it, I just see it as, 'I love the challenge of having a
new ANTHRAX.'"

"While making this album," added Nelson, "I found that if I just tried to
approach my vocals from the heart, to not overthink anything, I could bring a
fresh, heavier yet still melodic approach to an already brutal style of music.
Being the singer of ANTHRAX has already proven to be a great opportunity to play
with great musicians."

Shortly after the lineup was solidified, Nelson was welcomed into the ANTHRAX
fold via a true baptism by fire — opening up a pair of sold out shows for the
mighty IRON MAIDEN in California. "The second night, we're backstage," recalls
Ian, "[IRON MAIDEN singer] Bruce Dickinson came over to our dressing room to say
hi, and he says to me, 'Your new singer, Dan, is amazing. I was watching you
guys from the side of the stage last night — he totally fits you guys, he's
perfect. His voice is incredible and strong. I loved it!' And I was like, 'Would
you come inside and tell Dan? He'd love to hear it from you.' We walk in the
dressing room and I'm like, 'Where's Dan?' And I hear from the bathroom, 'I'm in
here, taking a crap!' It was so great — not that we're looking for validation,
but when Bruce Dickinson comes up and is congratulating you on your new singer,
it's a pretty cool moment."