Radio.com caught up with Ian to discuss one of the bands on the new album and others snubbed by the hall: Ian says that his bandmates are Rush fanatics and wanted to go for a deep cut: "I'm certainly a Rush fan but [Drummer] Charlie [Benante] and [bassist] Frankie [Bello] and Joey are like, Rush nerds. They know every single thing about Rush."

Anthems' release is timely, as Rush will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month. They've been eligible for well over a decade, and Ian says he's not surprised that they are finally getting their due. "People take Rush seriously, they're not everyone's cup of tea, but everyone has a respect for that band whether you like them or not."

Although he's quick to note that he doesn't pay too much attention to the Rock Hall, he gets a bit more passionate when talking about another band that has been ignored by the voters: "A lot people have a problem with KISS. KISS is just as important as Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin. The people who vote on these kinds of things � I don't know who these people are � I think they're the kind of people who never, ever liked KISS. If you like Alice Cooper, you should like KISS. But a lot of people didn't take them seriously as a songwriting entity. I feel like they're never gonna let KISS in, which is pretty f****** lame when you consider what they've accomplished."

He continues, "I was reading an interview with someone from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he said that one of the main criteria to be considered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is, what influence have they had on music? KISS has influenced bands that are already in the Hall of Fame! They're one of the most influential bands of the last forty years!"

This year marked the first time that Deep Purple made the ballot, however they didn't get the votes needed to be inducted: "How many people started playing guitar because of the riff to 'Smoke On The Water?' You can pinpoint that riff as the starting point to more guitar players than any other song in the history of rock. So it's just amazing to me that a band like Deep Purple isn't in."