Anthrax, those thrash metal gods, have dropped 11 studio albums since they began making records in the early 1980s, but five of those albums came between 1984 and 1990. The group hasn't delivered a new one since 2016's For All Kings. That's about to change.
The band has announced they are releasing a long-awaited new record on September 18 called Cursum Perficio, a phrase engraved on the entryway of Marilyn Monroe's last residence. Don't expect a bunch of different remixes of Elton John's "Candle in the Wind," though. This is Anthrax, of course.
The band originally planned to start working on the new album after their tour for For All Kings was done in 2019, but COVID-19 hit, and the band delayed writing and recording. Months turned into years, and other projects came up. The album became of secondary importance.
Anthrax announces release date of first album since 2016
At least when the record does arrive, it should only feature bangers. According to drummer Charlie Benante, while speaking on the Everblack podcast, "This record is not three or four songs deep of good songs, and then the rest is shit. Every song on this record stands on its own."
While expectations are high, fans have an entire catalog of the band to prove they know how to push out fast and excellent diatribes of songs. Will the record be so good it's up for a Record of the Year Grammy? Of course, not. The Grammys don't like thrash metal.
The good part is that millions of fans do. Those fans will be buying the new album and showing up to the shows the group has in 2026.
Anthrax's tour picks up on May 23 in Athens, Greece, and the band will continue a European run of shows through the summer until they return to North America just ahead of the release of the new album. The shows in the Western Hemisphere include the following (and you can find tickets at the band's official website):
- 9/3 - Montreal, QC @ Parc Jean-Drapeau
- 9/5 - Harrison, NJ @ Sports Illustrated Stadium
- 9/6 - Harrison, NJ @ Sports Illustrated Stadium
- 9/17 - Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life festival
- 9/25 - Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium
- 9/27 - Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium
- 9/29 - San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome
- 10/2 - Mexico City, Mexico @ Estadio GNP Seguros
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