ANTHRAX Unleashes Hell with 'Cursum Perficio': A Decade in the Making!
In a gritty exchange with Steve Harkins of TalkShopLive, ANTHRAX's legendary axeman Scott Ian unveiled the details of the band's long-awaited twelfth studio album, "Cursum Perficio," set to drop like a ton of bricks on September 18 via Megaforce in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast in Europe. This marks the first eruption of new material in a decade, following the critically-acclaimed "For All Kings" that stormed into the Billboard 200's Top 10. The title, "Cursum Perficio," translates from Latin to "My journey has come to an end," encapsulating the essence of a band that has weathered life's storms to emerge stronger than ever.
Scott Ian elaborated on the album's gestation period, clarifying that while it appears to have taken ten years, the reality is more nuanced. "We kicked off serious writing in early '22, and by November '25, I was holding the finished product in my hands," he recounted. The real challenge lay in the chaos of the past few years. After relentless touring for "For All Kings" until late 2019, the pandemic hit, rendering the band unable to collaborate effectively. It wasn't until they reunited in early '22 that the magic began to flow again, bringing an infectious energy to the new tracks.
"The key to our writing process is sheer love for the music," Ian stated, emphasizing the joy that fuels their creative fire. He described how the band would revel in crafting tight arrangements, even before lyrics were laid down. The sheer fun of jamming together translated into the music, making it a thrill to play live. This rejuvenated spirit is palpable on "Cursum Perficio," promising fans an electrifying experience when they hit the stage.
Regarding live performances, Ian acknowledged the challenge of curating a setlist from an extensive discography. "It’s no easy feat. This is our twelfth record, and we have a mountain of material to choose from!" he laughed. ANTHRAX's live shows are known for their ferocity, often feeling like a three-hour workout condensed into 90 minutes. They aim to strike a balance between fan favorites and new material, already debuting three tracks from the album at a recent show at St. Vitus in Brooklyn. Among the new songs are "It's For The Kids," "Everybody's Got A Plan," and "The Edge Of Perfection," with a wild performance of "NYC 93" captured on video during the event.
To celebrate the release of "Cursum Perficio," ANTHRAX will host a late-night in-store signing in Louisville, Kentucky, right after their performance at the Louder Than Life festival. Fans can meet the iconic lineup—Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna, and Jonathan Donais—starting at 12:01 a.m. on September 18, but only those who pre-order the album from Guestroom Records will secure a spot. The anticipation for this monumental release is palpable, and as Ian hinted, the band hopes to eventually perform every track live in the coming years. Get ready to be part of the chaos!