Jonathan Donais (born April 5, 1979), also known as Jon Donais, is an American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist for thrash metal band Anthrax since 2013, and as co-founder and lead guitarist of metalcore band Shadows Fall.
Career
Early career and Shadows Fall
Prior to co-founding Shadows Fall with fellow guitarist Matt Bachand in 1996, Donais was a member of metalcore band Aftershock from 1993 to 1997, which morphed into Killswitch Engage, although after his departure. Shadows Fall's first line-up included Donais and Bachand alongside Damien McPherson (vocals), Mark Laliberte (bass), and David Germain (drums). By late 1996, the band recorded and released a demo titled Mourning a Dead World, of which only about 200 copies were produced. It consisted of the songs Lifeless, Suffer the Season, Fleshold, Forever Lost, A Souls Salvation, and Deadworld. McPherson decided to leave the band, and was replaced by Philip Labonte in 1997. Around the same time, bass guitarist Paul Romanko, formerly of the hardcore band Pushbutton Warfare, was recruited as a permanent replacement for Laliberte, who had originally joined on a temporary basis. Now with a more solid lineup, the band released its first EP, To Ashes, with Aftershock member Adam Dutkiewicz playing as a session drummer. The band's name, according to Bachand, comes from the title of a comic book published in the early 1990s.
Shadows Fall went on hiatus in Summer 2015 after completing "farewell" tours in Europe and North America.
On June 22, 2021, vocalist Brian Fair confirmed that Shadows Fall were reuniting for their first show in over half a decade at the Worcester Palladium on December 18. Supporting acts for this show were Unearth, Darkest Hour, Within the Ruins, Sworn Enemy and Carnivora. Flair also said that the band could release new music.
Anthrax
Prior to Shadow Falls going on hiatus, Donais was announced, on January 11, 2013, to be joining thrash metal legends Anthrax on their Metal Alliance Tour, replacing Rob Caggiano who had left the band to join Volbeat. Donais made his live debut with Anthrax in Australia without a single rehearsal with the band. "I jammed with Scott [Ian, guitarist] a little bit, but it was, 'Here. Learn these songs and be ready,'" he recalled. "Oh. God. That first show — I was shaking." Donais was originally a touring member until August 13, 2013. The first Anthrax release that Donais appeared on was Chile on Hell live album and video in 2014, which was from a concert recorded at the Teatro Caupolican in Santiago, Chile, on May 10, 2013. Donais appeared on the bands following studio album For All Kings in 2016.
According to Donais, his predecessor in Anthrax, Rob Caggiano, hooked him up with his current gig. "'Cause he knew he was gonna leave, and he wanted to make sure that they were all set." Donais' appearance with the band has been an overall positive experience for the band with bassist Frank Bello saying: "I think Jon has brought a great energy to the band. He stepped up and then some on this record." Scott Ian said, "Jon's approach towards lead guitar playing, he's more of a guy who's looking to construct something that makes sense and helps a song rather than the 45 seconds for him to be showing off how many notes he can play in X amount of measures." Donais has said that it was "a dream come true! I'm playing for a band that have been a huge influence for me.".
Donais is set to appear on the bands new studio album, which is expected to be released in 2024, he has also said that he is not involved in the song writing process saying "Nope. Nope. Nope. All bands work different, man. They have a way that's worked, and they've [had a] strong 40-year career. So, if it's not broken, don't mess with it."