S.O.D. frontman Billy Milano recently disclosed details about an offer Dave Grohl made to drummer Charlie Benante to join Foo Fighters. He shared this information in an interview with Robbs MetalWorks.
Milano recounted a band meeting where Benante revealed the opportunity and the internal discussion that followed.
“I walked into that room [for the band meeting] and Charlie Benante holds a meeting and he goes, ‘I want everyone to know something. I know we’re working on the S.O.D. record right now, but I got a phone call from Dave Grohl. He asked me to play on their new record,'” Milano said. “And he said, ‘If I play on the record, would I tour with the band? I just want you guys to know, if I do it, I’m not going to be able to do S.O.D.'”
The revelation led to tension within the band, particularly with guitarist Scott Ian.
“And he looked at Scott (Ian) and goes, ‘I want to know what you think.’ And Scott said, ‘You know we had plans to do this S.O.D. stuff. Everyone’s relying on you to do this S.O.D. stuff, and here you go again.’ So obviously he had a history of having sand in the ****,” Milano continued.
Milano then shared his own perspective on the situation.
“I said, ‘You want the truth? If Dave Grohl called me up, I’d leave S.O.D. in two seconds because we’re going to go nowhere, number one. And number two is if you have the opportunity to do that and you don’t do it, you’re crazy,'” he said. “Besides, S.O.D. is only going to have fun for a little bit, and we could always get Dave Lombardo to play drums on.”
The comments shed light on the internal dynamics of the crossover thrash band and the career decisions facing its members. This revelation also highlights the significant stature Charlie Benante holds within the metal community. Grohl’s offer becomes particularly noteworthy given this context.
Wikipedia reported that Benante has been the main composer and drummer for the thrash metal band Anthrax since 1983. He established himself as one of the most influential drummers in heavy metal. His pioneering work includes popularizing the blast beat technique and developing the double bass drumming style that became fundamental to thrash metal.
Benante’s versatility extends beyond his drumming prowess. Wikipedia noted that he contributed lead guitar work to S.O.D.’s influential album “Speak English or Die.” This demonstrates his multi-instrumental capabilities. This musical diversity has made him a sought-after collaborator throughout his career.
The drummer’s reputation in the metal world reached new heights when he joined the reunited Pantera in 2022. Wikipedia documented that Benante stepped in to fill the role left by the late Vinnie Paul. This showcased his ability to adapt across different metal subgenres and his high standing among his peers.
Consequence of Sound highlighted that Benante’s drumming technique and influence continue to inspire new generations of metal drummers. This solidifies his status as an elite performer in the genre. His fast double kick technique and innovative approach to metal drumming have made him a respected figure whose endorsement carries significant weight in the metal community.
