A week ago, we reported that Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante left the band’s tour to be with his terminally ill mother. Today, Benante informed fans that his mother passed away. The stickman wrote a tribute to his mom on his official website and also noted that he would return to Anthrax’s lineup for their New York City show on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

Here is Benante’s full post from his official site:

“Okay, I gotta get this out…My Mom left us today. She fought her battle as long as she could. Thank you All for all your thoughts and Prayers. My Mom was all about Letting me follow my Dream, she always Pushed me in that direction.

She was the one who would take me to Buy my records, she was the one who would sit through a matinee of all 5 Planet of the Apes’ Movies, She was the one who got me to be Who I am. She was all about her kids and She spread the Love to everyone who met her too.

I am going to Celebrate Her life everyday and I will Play the NYC Show Wednesday for My Mom..she always Enjoyed the Thrash Metal. If you want to send anything, send it to:

Schuyler Hill Funeral Home
3535 East Tremont Ave.
Bronx, NY 10465

You really don’t need to send anything, I’m putting it on here to Stop My phone from blowing Up

Thank you, Charlie

As previously reported, Anthrax bassist Frank Bello also left the tour to be with his ailing grandmother.

Fan-filmed video footage of ANTHRAX's February 2 concert at The Taberncale in Atlanta, Georgia can be seen below. The performance was notable because the band's lineup for the show included stand-in musicians Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, FATES WARNING) and Gene Hoglan (TESTAMENT, FEAR FACTORY, DETHKLOK) filling in for bassist Frank Bello and drummer Charlie Benante, respectively.

JOEY VERA is coming to Sofia to play with FATES WARNING a gig for RADIO TANGRA MEGA ROCK's SIXTH Anniversary on 22 March.