Band Name: Anthrax
New Company: Independent Artist Group (IAG)
Primary Agents: Peter Pappalardo, Nick Storch
Department: Live Music / Touring
Territory: Worldwide
- Thrash metal icons Anthrax have signed with Independent Artist Group (IAG) for worldwide touring representation, with agents Peter Pappalardo and Nick Storch leading the partnership.
- The band’s highly anticipated 12th studio album, their first since For All Kings (2016), is set for a May 2026 release, making this signing strategically timed for a major touring cycle.
- Anthrax is currently supporting Megadeth on their global farewell tour, with upcoming dates in Australia and beyond, signaling strong live momentum heading into their new era.
- The band’s full representation team includes STS Touring Productions for management, and Nuclear Blast and HerFitz PR for publicity.
Thrash metal icons Anthrax have signed with Independent Artist Group (IAG) for worldwide representation, with agents Peter Pappalardo and Nick Storch handling the band.
The signing comes at a pivotal moment. Anthrax has officially completed mixing its first new studio album in nearly a decade, with a May 2026 release now confirmed by bassist Frank Bello. The record, produced by Jay Ruston, is being described by Bello as a major step forward in musicianship and songwriting.
Formed in New York in 1981, Anthrax is considered one of the Big Four of thrash metal alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth, a band they are currently on the road with.
Anthrax recently completed the Canadian leg of Megadeth’s farewell tour alongside Exodus, and the band is now gearing up for dates in Australia before shifting focus to their album rollout.
IAG’s Pappalardo and Storch said in a joint statement that Anthrax have been among the most important and influential bands in heavy music for over four decades, and that their legacy, catalog, and live show continue to inspire generations of fans.
IAG, formed from the 2023 merger of Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) and Artist Group International (AGI), operates from offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Atlanta, Toronto, and London, representing artists, actors, directors, and brands across all media platforms worldwide.
This signing follows a broader trend of major rock and metal acts consolidating with independent-minded powerhouse agencies. Earlier this year, electronic artist Yuki Chiba signed with IAG while Matt Sassari inked a deal with Spin Artist Agency, reflecting a growing shift toward specialized, boutique-style agency partnerships across genres.
Takeaways
This isn’t just a routine agency move, it’s a calculated play. Anthrax arriving at IAG with a new album on the way, a live touring machine already in motion, and a fanbase that has waited nearly a decade for new music makes this one of the more strategically loaded signings in rock so far in 2026.
IAG, still relatively young as a merged entity, continues to build serious credibility by landing legacy acts with real touring power. For Anthrax, aligning with agents of Pappalardo and Storch’s caliber means their global live strategy will be in seasoned hands right as the band re-enters the spotlight.
With a new album dropping in May, could Anthrax be eyeing a headline world tour of their own, or will they continue riding the support slot wave with Megadeth and Iron Maiden? What does this signing say about IAG’s long-term ambition in the hard rock and metal space?
