Former Anthrax Guitarist Rob Caggiano Explains Shock Split

When news broke earlier this month that Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano had left the band it surprised both fans and Caggiano’s bandmates alike. Anthrax member Scott Ian later offered some insight into Caggiano’s departure, claiming the split was friendly but felt Caggiano had “made a mistake by leaving the band”.

Now, in a recent interview with Pro Sound News, Caggiano has explained why he decided to leave Anthrax after having helped record their Anthems EP and right before the band return to Australia for Soundwave 2013.

After being asked by Pro Sound News’ Kelleigh Welch why he left Anthrax, Caggiano described the decision as “a very tough decision to make”. Caggiano goes on to explain that, although there was no ill will within the band, the guitarist felt dissatisfied from a creative standpoint.

“There are a number of reasons why I left the band. Some of them are very personal to me but I ultimately have no problem being open about these things. If you were to ask me to give you the absolute main reason why I decided to leave Anthrax, I would tell you that I left because my heart simply wasn’t in it anymore.”

“I had a blast playing with those guys and they will always be family to me, but outside of my guitar solos and production work, Anthrax was never a creative outlet for me (musically). That wasn’t by any choice of my own by the way; it’s just the way it is.”

“I love them dearly and I wouldn’t change a thing about the last 12 years, but I guess it just got to the point where I started asking myself, “What the hell am I doing? I’m a musician. This is who I am. Being creative is simply food for my soul. Why am I devoting all of my time and energy into a band where being creative is impossible for me?”

You can check out the full interview on Pro Sound News

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