Anthrax have officially lined up their long-awaited return. The band will release “It’s for the Kids” on Friday, May 15, 2026, as the first single from their 12th studio album, Cursum Perficio, which is now scheduled to arrive on September 18, 2026 in North America via Megaforce and in Europe through Nuclear Blast. Loudwire notes that this will be Anthrax’s first full-length studio album in more than a decade, while Blabbermouth confirms the single rollout and album date.
The new record has been a long time coming. Anthrax previously released For All Kings in February 2016, and Scott Ian explained that the gap was never meant to stretch to 10 years. In a March interview, he said the band had already started writing after the touring cycle for For All Kings wound down in late 2019, but the pandemic forced everything to stall until later in 2021. He added that the actual writing-and-recording span was about three years, which he described as fairly normal for a band like Anthrax.
Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante has been especially vocal about how strong the album feels. He told the Everblack podcast that he is “so excited” about it and said the record is “really, really good.” He also stressed that the band intends to support the album heavily on the road, saying it is a very important release for Anthrax and that they will make time to play as many shows as possible behind it. Benante argued that the album is not a collection of a few strong songs with filler around them; in his view, every track stands on its own.
Scott Ian echoed that confidence when he spoke to The Rockpit in March. He said he was extremely eager for fans to hear the album and suggested that the finished record had already impressed the small circle of people who had heard it. Ian also said the band has “pushed the envelope” on the new material and described the process of hearing the songs come together in sequence as one of the most rewarding parts of making the album.
Frank Bello has also been enthusiastic about the project. In comments cited by Blabbermouth, the bassist said the new record is heavy, challenging to play, and something he is proud of. He said Joey Belladonna’s vocals are exceptional on the album and added that listeners who enjoyed the band’s last two records should be happy with what comes next. Bello also said the band made sure the melodies and songwriting were right, because they wanted the album to be worth the long wait.
Anthrax recorded and mixed parts of Cursum Perficio at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Northridge, California, and the band worked once again with producer Jay Ruston, who also handled For All Kings and Worship Music. Blabbermouth reports that the official music video for “It’s for the Kids” was filmed last December, setting up the first visual preview of the era before the song’s May 15 release.
The album title itself carries a notable reference. “Cursum Perficio” is the Latin phrase associated with Marilyn Monroe’s final home in Los Angeles. While it is often taken to mean “My journey ends,” it is more literally translated as “I will persevere” or “I am completing my journey.” That meaning gives the title a more defiant edge than its darker surface impression first suggests.
Blabbermouth also reports that the album will contain 11 songs, including “Persistence Of Memory,” “The Long Goodbye,” “Everybody’s Got A Plan,” “The Edge Of Perfection,” “Infectious,” “NYC 93,” “Cursum Perficio,” “T.O.M.B.,” “Watch It Go,” and “My Victory.” That makes Cursum Perficio one of the most carefully documented Anthrax releases in years, with the band already laying out both the album’s shape and its release schedule well ahead of time.
For Anthrax fans, the important dates are now clear: May 15, 2026 for the lead single, September 18, 2026 for the album, and a full campaign that the band says will be backed by live shows and a strong push around the record. After a decade without a new studio album, Anthrax are finally ready to move.
