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ANTHRAX Unleashes Fury with 'It's For The Kids' Amid Political Firestorm

By Jason •
Scott Ian and Charlie Benante go deep on their powerful new single from 'Cursum Perficio', tackling the grim realities of today's world.

In a raw and revealing conversation with the Los Angeles Times, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian opened up about the intense emotional fuel behind "It's For The Kids", the first single from their latest album, "Cursum Perficio". This track confronts the harrowing epidemic of school shootings, provoking a flurry of critiques that paint the band as left-leaning. But don’t box them in just yet.

“I’m not a liberal,” Ian clarified, vehemently asserting his centrist stance to writer Jon Wiederhorn, who has chronicled Ian's journey in the past. “I enjoy skeet shooting and hitting the range, but I believe in common sense. Nobody wants to see an 8-year-old shot in the face, which is a tragic reality far too frequent in our society.”

Drummer Charlie Benante joined the fray, passionately expressing his love for America while grappling with its many flaws. “The way we go about things in this country is just wrong,” he lamented, exuding frustration that drives him to channel his feelings into songwriting. “Sometimes it feels like the only outlet is to put my head down and write a song.”

Reflecting on the genesis of the song, Ian explained how fatherhood has intensified his fears and frustrations about the state of the world. “As a parent, you can't help but feel more fear about the safety of your child. This world isn’t a safe haven for kids, and the anger I feel stems from the inaction of those in power. It’s not just opinion; it’s a hard fact,” he asserted, emphasizing the cathartic nature of songwriting as a means to vent these pent-up emotions.

"Cursum Perficio," which translates to "My journey has come to an end," dropped on September 18 through Megaforce and Nuclear Blast. In its debut week, the album stormed to the top of Billboard's Top Hard Rock Albums chart, solidifying ANTHRAX's legacy as titans of thrash metal. With over 22,000 equivalent album units sold, including a staggering amount of vinyl, fans can snag a multitude of exclusive versions that celebrate the band's storied career.

Having meticulously crafted this album at Dave Grohl's Studio 606, ANTHRAX has not only met fan expectations but elevated them. With "Cursum Perficio," they’ve conjured a fierce explosion of sound that captures the anger, aggression, and vitality reminiscent of their most legendary work. As they continue to evolve, one thing remains clear: ANTHRAX is still a force to be reckoned with in the metal realm.