Ten years is a long time to wait for a new Anthrax album.
On September 18th, 2026, that wait finally ends.
Anthrax return with Cursum Perficio, their twelfth studio album and their first since 2016’s For All Kings. It’s the longest gap between studio albums in the band career making this one feel like more than just another release on the calendar.
And then there’s that title.
“My journey is over”
Cursum Perficio translates roughly from Latin as “My journey is over” or “I complete my journey”.
Naturally, that got fans wondering whether Anthrax might be preparing some kind of farewell.
But that’s not how the band has presented it.
The idea came from drummer Charlie Benante, who saw the phrase on a plaque at Marilyn Monroe former home while watching a documentary. The words stuck with him, eventually becoming the title of Anthrax new record.
Mortality and legacy are certainly themes that fit the phrase, but Cursum Perficio isn’t being officially presented as the band final album.
So for now, let’s leave the farewell theories at the door.
Anthrax are back.
Old-school thrash with something extra
Produced by longtime collaborator Jay Ruston Cursum Perficio runs for around 54 minutes across 11 tracks.
The foundation is still unmistakably Anthrax: aggressive thrash riffs, heavy guitars and the energy that has kept the band moving for more than four decades.
But this time, there are also progressive-leaning arrangements, atmospheric layers and a more modern production approach.
That combination could make this an interesting chapter for a band that has never been afraid to push beyond a straight-ahead thrash formula.
And Scott Ian isn’t exactly playing it safe when talking about one particular song.
He has described “The Edge of Perfection” as one of the greatest and most genre-defying songs Anthrax have ever written even calling it the greatest song the band has created in its 40+ year career.
That’s a pretty serious claim.
Now we get to hear if the song lives up to it.
The tracklist
Cursum Perficio features:
- Persistence of Memory (Instrumental Intro)
- The Long Goodbye
- It’s For The Kids (Lead Single)
- Everybody’s Got a Plan
- The Edge of Perfection
- Infectious
- NYC 93
- Cursum Perficio
- T.O.M.B.
- Watch It Go
- My Victory
The title track has already arrived with a grim black-and-white video directed by Don Argott.
And apparently, filming it wasn’t exactly comfortable.
London May, formerly of Samhain, stars in the video and performs real physical stunts involving chains. He reportedly broke a finger on the very first day of shooting.
That’s commitment to the cause.
A rare lineup milestone
There’s another interesting detail hiding in this album history.
Cursum Perficio is the first Anthrax studio album since 2004’s The Greater of Two Evils to feature exactly the same lineup as the preceding studio record.
That lineup brings together:
Joey Belladonna – Lead Vocals
Scott Ian – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Charlie Benante – Drums, Percussion
Frank Bello – Bass, Backing Vocals
Jonathan Donais – Lead Guitar
Much of the album was recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles.
After a decade away from the studio Anthrax aren’t returning quietly.
- Cursum Perficio* arrives with a big title, a strange and fascinating story behind it, a stable lineup and plenty of expectations riding on those 11 tracks.
Ten years after For All Kings Anthrax are finally giving us something new to turn up loud.
And now the real question:
Was the 10-year wait worth it? 🤘
Where to Listen & Pre-Order
- Streaming: Available to stream via subscription on Apple Music.
- Physical Media: CD and vinyl variants can be pre-ordered directly through the Official Anthrax Store or Napalm Records
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