Multi-Grammy-nominated thrash metal legends Anthrax — Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna and Jonathan Donais — are set to release their long-awaited twelfth studio album, “Cursum Perficio”, on September 18 through Megaforce Records in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast across Europe.
The album marks the band’s first full-length release in a decade, following 2016’s “For All Kings”, which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. Translating from Latin as “My journey has come to an end,” “My journey is over” or “I complete my journey”, “Cursum Perficio” is a fitting title for a record that stands as a fully realized and complete artistic statement.
“Cursum Perficio” will be released in a wide range of collectible formats, including a standard CD edition and a Target-exclusive CD featuring a fabric patch of the album artwork. Vinyl collectors will have several options to choose from, including a standard black double LP with a pop-up gatefold, Target’s exclusive red zoetrope double LP, and Amazon’s exclusive purple zoetrope double LP, both also housed in pop-up gatefold packaging.
Additional special editions include a merch-exclusive lilac vinyl double LP, a Metal Injection-exclusive white vinyl double LP, and a Talk Shop Live-exclusive signed red ripple vinyl double LP — all presented with pop-up gatefold sleeves. Rounding out the collection is an indie-exclusive red, orange and yellow-colored double LP, also featuring the elaborate pop-up gatefold design.
Leading the charge for “Cursum Perficio” is the album’s first single and video, “It’s For The Kids”, a ferocious statement of intent from the quintet. Packed with razor-edged riffs, thunderous drumming, and an anthemic, headbanging hook, the track delivers everything fans expect from classic Anthrax. With its explosive energy and undeniable intensity, it has all the hallmarks of a future live favorite.
Anthrax began seriously crafting “Cursum Perficio” in 2022, recording at Studio 606, the legendary studio owned by Dave Grohl. Over the course of the sessions, the band meticulously assembled what has become a true magnum opus — honoring their storied legacy while exceeding fan expectations and pushing the boundaries of their unmistakable sound.
Produced by Jay Ruston alongside the band, the album emerges as a fierce and fully energized statement, capturing the same anger, aggression, and vitality that defined some of their most acclaimed work.
“It was quite a journey from the inception of this album to its completion,” Ian says. We were supposed to make this in 2020, but the universe had other plans for everyone. After the pandemic, we got to be a band again. When we started working on the record, we were just happy to be in a room together. It was so exciting that it was like being reborn in a way. All of that energy and emotion went into the music. The fear of being forced out of our lives and the joy of coming back together are present. The title ‘Cursum Perficio’ feels like ANTHRAX. It resembled what we went through to get to the point of finishing the record.”
“There was an awful lot of growth between ‘Worship Music’ in 2011 and ‘Cursum Perficio’,” Benante elaborated. “This album is a culmination of everything we’ve learned. I was watching a Marilyn Monroe documentary, and I saw ‘Cursum Perficio’ written on a tile in her last home. When I found out what the phrase meant, it immediately clicked with me. We aren’t saying this is our last record, but our journey has come to an end. I believe we’ve completed the task”.
“We had to make ‘Fistful Of Metal’ and ‘Spreading The Disease’ to be able to write ‘Among The Living’,” Ian goes on. “In the same respect, it took ‘Worship Music’ and ‘For All Kings’ for us to be able to write ‘Cursum Perficio’. I very much compare this record to ‘Among The Living’.”
“We left it all on the table,” agreed Bello. “We really know who we are as ANTHRAX, what turns us on, and what we need to do. I don’t think anybody knows what’s next, but we’re hungrier than ever. From here on out, we’re going to go full throttle for every fucking minute.”
“A friend of mine said, ‘It’s For The Kids’ is a straight-up love letter to your fans,'” Ian says. “That’s exactly what I wanted it to be. The album needed a four-minute thrash song that harkened back to our first era. Whether it’s the aggression or the big chorus, it represents all the best parts of ANTHRAX in a very angry four-minute package. For the video, we wanted to throw back to our ‘Madhouse’ video — thematically it just made sense and this idea opened the door for us to share the experience with our fans. For all of us!”.
“Cursum Perficio” track listing
01. Persistence Of Memory
02. The Long Goodbye
03. It’s For The Kids
04. Everybody’s Got A Plan
05. The Edge Of Perfection
06. Infectious
07. NYC93
08. Cursum Perficio
09. T.O.M.B
10. Watch It Go
11. My Victory
