Danish metal band Volbeat have announced that their upcoming album, Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies, will be released April 9. The band also has announced that former Anthrax and The Damned Things guitarist Rob Caggiano has officially joined Volbeat.

Caggiano served as producer on Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies alongside long-time production partner Jacob Hansen, who produced and mixed the band’s prior four albums. Caggiano’s producer credits include The Damned Things, Bleeding Through and Anthrax amongst others, and he was a member of Anthrax for two tenures from 2001 to 2005 and 2007 to 2013.

“The band is very proud and happy to announce that he will also be the new guitar player in Volbeat,” said singer/guitarist Michael Poulsen. “The collaboration with Rob in the studio was so inspiring and in good spirit that we the decided to keep him. Basically we went into the studio as a three piece and came out as a whole band!”

Caggiano offers a detailed explanation of the chain of events that transpired:

“Wow! I have to say I’m completely blown away by the turn of events over the last few weeks here in Denmark and at this point an update is definitely in order. To start with, I came to Denmark about a month ago to produce the new Volbeat record which in and of itself has been an incredibly exciting adventure from a producer’s perspective thus far. However, I’m extremely happy to say my relationship with these guys will not end there as it turns out … it’s just beginning!

“Michael had asked me on the phone before I got out here if I would play some guest solos on the new album in addition to my other duties and of course I was thrilled about that and agreed to do so. When I actually got to Denmark and started going through the material, this turned out to be so much more than that. After weeks of collaboration between Michael and I it became quite clear that we had an amazing creative chemistry together and a huge mutual respect for one another. It’s so refreshing and inspiring to be creative again on a songwriting level that words can’t even describe it and the vibe between Anders, Jon, Michael and I is just awesome.

“I’d say an artistic relationship like this one is very rare and it’s also something I don’t take for granted. When the guys asked me if I was interested in joining Volbeat the other day, my jaw just about hit the floor! It actually didn’t even register in my brain properly until the next morning but I gotta say, it also didn’t take me long to decide. It really isn’t the way I envisioned the rest of my year to play out but at the same time, THIS feels more “right” to me than anything I could have possibly imagined and I’m going for it! To all my fans, family, friends and overall supporters that have reached out to me over this last month wondering if I’m ever gonna play guitar again or what I’m up to in general etc. … See you all soon my friends and get ready for a wild ride!”

Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies will be released on Vertigo / Republic Records. Poulsen adds, “Half of the album tracks will take you into the world of outlaw gunslinger stories sometime in the 1800s. Some of the characters are true legends, while others are fiction. The listener will hear inspiration from old classic spaghetti western movies which gives you a clue to the album title and cover artwork.”

The band returns to North America in March, with the following dates confirmed. Danko Jones will serve as main support through April 11.

3/06 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom
3/07 Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom
3/09 San Antonio, TX Freeman Coliseum
3/10 El Paso, TX Speaking Rock Entertainment Center
3/11 Lubbock, TX Lonestar Pavilion
3/12 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
3/14 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues at Mandalay Bay
3/15 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues
3/16 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
3/17 Reno, NV Knitting Factory
3/19 Boise, ID Revolution Center
3/20 Missoula, MT The Wilma Theater
3/22 Seattle, WA Showbox At The Market
3/23 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory
3/24 Calgary, AB MacEwen Hall
3/25 Prince George, BC CN Centre
3/27 Dawson Creek, BC EnCana Events Centre
3/28 Edmonton, AB Shaw Conference Centre
3/29 Medicine Hat, AB Cypress Center
3/30 Regina, SA Brandt Centre
4/01 Saskatoon, SA Credit Union Center
4/02 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
4/03 Minneapolis, MN Mill City Nights
4/05 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
4/06 Ft. Wayne, IN Piere’s
4/07 Toronto, ONT Sound Academy
4/09 New York, NY Best Buy Theatre
4/10 Baltimore, MD Rams Head
4/11 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero

While at the show, we interviewed some of the bands. Check out what Anthrax had to say about playing Yankee Stadium below.

“This mega concert, one of the most anticipated events in recent memory, will bring thousands of new visitors to the Bronx,” Diaz said. “We’re inviting concert goers to come early and count down to the start of the show at our great neighborhood restaurants and bars, and take in a little of what the Bronx has to offer.”

Of course, having the concert in the Bronx is of special significance to Anthrax, with three of their members—Frank Bello, Charlie Benante, and Rob Caggiano—natives of the borough. To mark their return to their roots Diaz has taken the step of officially making Sepember 14, the day of the concert, “Anthrax Day in the Bronx.”

“The Bronx may be known as the home of hip-hop and salsa, but make no mistake, our musical contributions are much more expansive,” Diaz explained. “These heavy metal legends grew up right here in our borough, and I am proud to welcome Anthrax back to their Bronx home.”

Understandably, local businesses are also looking to cash in on the furor behind the Big Four coming to town. Restaurants and bars around Yankee stadium will be offering fans special themed food and drinks, such as a “Metallica Martini,” and a “Metal Mayhem Meatball.”