Anthrax bassist Frank Bello has announced his debut solo EP, Then I’m Gone, arriving November 4th.
The release is a personal one for Bello, who played every instrument (except drums) on the EP’s three core tracks: “Then I’m Gone,” “It Won’t Be Long,” and “See Me Now.” He also scored and played additional narrative pieces that see Bello reading excerpts from his 2021 autobiography, Fathers, Brothers, and Sons: Surviving Anguish, Abandonment, and Anthrax.
“I revisited some really dark times in my life when I was writing my book, and writing these songs was the result of reliving them,” said Bello via a press release. “Music has always been a great outlet for me as a coping mechanism. I felt it was a good time to put out these songs for people who connected with the book and maybe some who haven’t yet. Thanks for listening!”
Bello hasn’t unveiled a full song from the release quite yet, but a promo video contains a short snippet of audio. Rather than churning out Anthrax-style thrash metal, the clip hints at a more alt-rock direction for the veteran bassist. Clean, confident vocals are backed by surging melodic guitars as Bello successfully projects the sound of a full band.
The Then I’m Gone EP deluxe gatefold vinyl is available for preorder now in limited-edition purple and white/purple splatter variants, as well as standard black vinyl via Rare Bird and Experience Vinyl.
Watch the promo clip and see the artwork and tracklist below. And catch Bello with Anthrax when they co-headline a 2022 North American tour with Black Label Society this summer. Tickets are available here.
Then I’m Gone EP Artwork:
Then I’m Gone EP Tracklist:
01. Then I’m Gone
02. It Won’t Be Long
03. See Me Now
04. First Kiss
05. Compass Point
06. See Me Now [Revisited]