Mark Osegueda recently reflected on his failed audition with Anthrax. He shared insights into why the band ultimately chose another vocalist. A new video from Death Angel YouTube channel documented Osegueda’s discussion of the audition process and how he views the outcome today.
Osegueda explained that he was among a select group of musicians flown in to audition for Anthrax after Joey Belladonna’s initial departure from the band. He described the experience as positive and revealed that the decision came down to a few candidates.
“Well, when they had their parting of ways the first time with Joey back when, I was living in New York and they called me,” Osegueda said. “I was no longer in Death Angel, and they called me and asked if I was interested in auditioning. I went down to Burbank, I believe, and auditioned.”
The band narrowed their search to a small group of finalists. “I know at one point, from what I heard from other people, they narrowed it down to me, John Bush from Armored Saint and this guy, at the time, Spike Xavier from the band Mind Over Four,” he explained. “And then I also heard from people in the band that they narrowed it down to me and John Bush.”
Osegueda expressed confidence in Anthrax’s final decision. “Yeah, and to tell you the truth, I think they made the right decision. For the era and the time, they made the absolute right decision going with John Bush,” he said.
Scott Ian later documented the reason for the rejection in his book. The Death Angel frontman revealed this detail: “I’ve signed that page in Scott’s book, and he even says, ‘We got down to Mark, and he was too metal for us. He sounded too metal for us.’ And I was, like, ‘Well, there you go.’ That’s a compliment. I’ve signed that page at signing sessions, that I was too metal for ’em.”
This audition represents a pivotal moment in metal history during a transformative period for one of thrash metal’s most influential bands. Blabbermouth reported that the audition took place in 1992 following Joey Belladonna’s first departure from Anthrax. This marked a critical juncture for the band’s future direction.
The selection process was notably competitive and carefully curated. Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles documented that the finalists included Osegueda, John Bush from Armored Saint, and Spike Xavier from Mind Over Four. The decision ultimately narrowed to Osegueda and Bush as the top contenders.
John Bush’s selection proved to be a defining choice for Anthrax’s sound during the 1990s. Ultimate Metal noted that Osegueda’s reflection on this decision demonstrates his mature perspective. Bush’s vocal style and approach aligned better with Anthrax’s musical direction and the era’s demands. Bush would go on to front the band through several albums and become an integral part of their legacy during that period.
Osegueda’s gracious acceptance of the outcome reflects the professionalism and mutual respect within the metal community. His willingness to acknowledge that the band made the right choice, combined with his pride in being deemed “too metal” for them, showcases how rejection in the music industry can be reframed as validation rather than failure. This perspective has made Osegueda’s story an inspiring example for aspiring musicians navigating the competitive landscape of professional music.
