Blab Music
Anthrax Announces 12th Studio Album Cursum Perficio for September 18, 2026
After a ten‑year break from the studio, thrash pioneers Anthrax will return to the charts with Cursum Perficio, slated for release on September 18 2026. The album will be issued through Megaforce in the United States and Nuclear Blast in Europe, marking the band’s first new studio project since 2016’s For All Kings—the last album to crack the Billboard 200 Top 10.
In an interview with Erin Greatrix of This Day In Metal, drummer Charlie Benante framed the record as a “culmination of different eras, different moods, different ideas.” He explained that the band mined a vault of material spanning their career, from 2015‑written songs to demos tucked away in a Dropbox folder that eventually became full‑length tracks. The creative process was hampered by a personal lack of inspiration, yet the decade of experience ultimately yielded a cohesive body of work.
The first single, “It’s For The Kids,” dropped on May 15 2026, accompanied by a music video that nods to the band’s early Madhouse look. Benante said the track was intended as a direct message to fans and was the first song the group performed live—debuting it on May 26 at Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria, while opening for Iron Maiden. The live setting helped refine the composition, turning a studio idea into a performance that resonated with audiences.
Recording took place in 2022 at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles, with Jay Ruston co‑producing alongside the band. Benante noted that his tenure as Pantera’s drummer influenced the writing of “Watch It Go,” a track that carries a Dimebag Abbott feel; touring with Pantera sharpened his approach to riff construction and song structure.
Cursum Perficio features eleven tracks, including “Persistence Of Memory,” “The Long Goodbye,” and the title track. The release will arrive in a range of formats: a standard CD, a Target‑exclusive CD with a fabric patch, a standard black double LP with a pop‑up gatefold, and several vinyl variants in different colors and packaging—such as a Target‑exclusive red zoetrope double LP and an Amazon‑exclusive purple zoetrope double LP.
Benante emphasized that the album is not a final statement but a culmination of lessons learned over the band’s career. He described the group as “hungrier than ever” and confirmed plans to keep touring and recording. While specific tour dates remain unannounced, a supporting tour is expected in the coming months.
The release marks Anthrax’s return to the studio after a decade‑long hiatus, positioning the band to re‑engage its fan base and re‑establish its presence in the thrash metal scene. Fans can expect the album across digital platforms and in a variety of collector‑grade physical formats. Industry observers will watch how the release performs on streaming services and whether the single “It’s For The Kids” reignites interest in the group’s catalog.
In an interview with Erin Greatrix of This Day In Metal, drummer Charlie Benante framed the record as a “culmination of different eras, different moods, different ideas.” He explained that the band mined a vault of material spanning their career, from 2015‑written songs to demos tucked away in a Dropbox folder that eventually became full‑length tracks. The creative process was hampered by a personal lack of inspiration, yet the decade of experience ultimately yielded a cohesive body of work.
The first single, “It’s For The Kids,” dropped on May 15 2026, accompanied by a music video that nods to the band’s early Madhouse look. Benante said the track was intended as a direct message to fans and was the first song the group performed live—debuting it on May 26 at Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria, while opening for Iron Maiden. The live setting helped refine the composition, turning a studio idea into a performance that resonated with audiences.
Recording took place in 2022 at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles, with Jay Ruston co‑producing alongside the band. Benante noted that his tenure as Pantera’s drummer influenced the writing of “Watch It Go,” a track that carries a Dimebag Abbott feel; touring with Pantera sharpened his approach to riff construction and song structure.
Cursum Perficio features eleven tracks, including “Persistence Of Memory,” “The Long Goodbye,” and the title track. The release will arrive in a range of formats: a standard CD, a Target‑exclusive CD with a fabric patch, a standard black double LP with a pop‑up gatefold, and several vinyl variants in different colors and packaging—such as a Target‑exclusive red zoetrope double LP and an Amazon‑exclusive purple zoetrope double LP.
Benante emphasized that the album is not a final statement but a culmination of lessons learned over the band’s career. He described the group as “hungrier than ever” and confirmed plans to keep touring and recording. While specific tour dates remain unannounced, a supporting tour is expected in the coming months.
The release marks Anthrax’s return to the studio after a decade‑long hiatus, positioning the band to re‑engage its fan base and re‑establish its presence in the thrash metal scene. Fans can expect the album across digital platforms and in a variety of collector‑grade physical formats. Industry observers will watch how the release performs on streaming services and whether the single “It’s For The Kids” reignites interest in the group’s catalog.
