New York-based heavy metal singer Dan Nelson (BLACKGATES, TRED, ANTHRAX) is the proud father of a baby boy, Benjamin Nelson.

Nelson recently settled a lawsuit he filed against ANTHRAX over the fallout from his departure from the veteran metal group. Details of the settlement were not made public.

Nelson, who was in ANTHRAX for nearly two years — from late 2007 until July 2009 — filed a lawsuit last November claiming that Charlie Benante (drums), Frank Bello (bass) and Scott Ian (guitar) falsely stated in "numerous interviews" that he had "abruptly resigned" after getting sick, forcing a cancelation of a tour. The $2.65-million suit also alleged that Benante told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that Nelson "was a bully."

The Long Island native said his ex-bandmates' "intentional defamation" has caused him a loss of income and damaged his reputation.

Nelson is currently a member of BLACKGATES alongside drummer Paul Bostaph (ex-TESTAMENT, EXODUS, SLAYER, FORBIDDEN), guitarist Jeremy Epp (THE VENTING MACHINE) and bassist Luis Barillas (THE VENTING MACHINE). He is also working with TRED, the new group featuring Mike Orlando (guitar; ADRENALINE MOB), AJ Pero (drums; TWISTED SISTER) and Rudy Sarzo (bass; OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO).