Anthrax announces their first new album in ten years and releases lead single “It’s For the Kids”

Anthrax is making waves in the music industry after an extended hiatus, releasing brand new music for the first time in over ten years. The acclaimed thrash metal band dropped their lead single “It’s For the Kids” from their upcoming studio album, “Cursum Perficio,” set to debut on September 18th via Megaforce Records.

Fans can already get a taste of what’s to come from Anthrax by streaming the official music video for “It’s For the Kids,” offering a sneak peek into the band’s latest work. Additionally, Anthrax is gearing up to hit the road in the fall alongside the legendary Iron Maiden as part of the North American run of the Run for Your Lives World Tour. Celebrating Iron Maiden’s monumental 50th anniversary, the tour promises a grand celebration with Anthrax performing at various stadiums and amphitheaters across the United States and Canada, showcasing a new, state-of-the-art production on a monumental scale.

With the release of their last studio album, “For All Kings,” Anthrax demonstrated a remarkable resurgence in their career, proving that even after more than three decades in the industry, they could still deliver hard-hitting, relevant music. This album marked a significant late-career victory for the band and showcased a renewed creative energy and aggression that had solidified their reputation as one of thrash metal’s premier acts.

Following the departure of longtime guitarist Rob Caggiano in 2013 and the addition of guitarist Jon Donais, “For All Kings” saw the band working under the guidance of producer Jay Ruston to create a sound that melded classic thrash elements with a modern heaviness. The album also witnessed a revived chemistry between lead vocalist Joey Belladonna and the rest of the group, setting the stage for a reinvigorated and bold direction for Anthrax.

During the album’s creation process, the band experienced a surge of creativity, crafting more than 25 songs in a prolific writing session that transpired across numerous Los Angeles-area studios. Anthrax intentionally adopted a more relaxed approach towards Belladonna’s vocal contributions, allowing him more musical freedom and collaborating closely with Ruston to hone his soaring melodic style, resulting in one of his most acclaimed performances to date.

Lyrically, “For All Kings” delved into darker and more somber subject matter than Anthrax’s earlier works, tackling themes of violence, extremism, and personal perseverance. The album’s artwork, designed by renowned comic book artist Alex Ross, featured larger-than-life stone depictions of the band members, underscoring the album’s regal title and epic vibe.

On the commercial front, “For All Kings” proved to be a massive success, debuting at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 chart with approximately 34,000 copies sold in the first week. This accomplishment marked a significant milestone for Anthrax, securing their first Top 10 album in over two decades since 1993.