Multi-GRAMMY® award-nominated New York heavy metal titans Anthrax have announced the release of their long-awaited twelfth full-length studio album, Cursum Perficio, arriving on 18th September 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records and Megaforce Records. The record marks the legendary band’s first studio release in a decade, following up 2016’s critically acclaimed For All Kings.
The album title translates from Latin as “My journey has come to an end” or “I complete my journey” – a phrase drummer Charlie Benante discovered etched into a tile at Marilyn Monroe’s final home. “We aren’t saying this is our last record,” Benante clarifies, “but our journey has come to an end. I believe we’ve completed the task.” Guitarist Scott Ian compares the musical weight of the new material to their finest hour: “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.”
To spearhead the announcement, the thrash metal icons have unleashed the blistering first single, “It’s For The Kids.” The track is a direct four-minute love letter to the fans, packed with buzzsaw-sharp riffs, explosive drumming, and a classic anthemic hook. The accompanying music video leans heavily into nostalgia, serving as a direct thematic throwback to their iconic “Madhouse” video by featuring a crowd of passionate fans reacting to the song on a freezing day in Pennsylvania.
“The album needed a four-minute thrash song that harkened back to our first era,” Ian explains. “Whether it’s the aggression or the big chorus, it represents all the best parts of Anthrax in a very angry package.” Vocalist Joey Belladonna adds, “To me, ‘It’s For The Kids’ is nice, straight-up Anthrax. It has a lot of fire and a punch to it. Vocally, it’s really cooking.”
The album was recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles and produced by Jay Ruston alongside the band. Bassist Frank Bello highlights the hunger driving the band as they hit their 45-year milestone: “We left it all on the table. We really know who we are as Anthrax, what turns us on, and what we need to do. From here on out, we’re going to go full throttle for every fucking minute.”
Fans of classic thrash and heavy riffs should also check out the upcoming UK tour dates from Howling Giant.
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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
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Header image by Travis Shinn
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