Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante has addressed one of the most common criticisms directed at the legendary thrash metal band: their concert set lists.
Speaking during a recent appearance on the Talk Is Jericho podcast, Benante admitted that he regularly hears complaints from fans who believe Anthrax relies too heavily on the same songs in concert. However, according to the drummer, the situation is far more complicated than many people realize.
With 11 studio albums already released and a twelfth album, Cursum Perficio, scheduled to arrive in September 2026, Anthrax has a massive catalog from which to choose. Despite that wealth of material, Benante explained that fans frequently request the same classics while simultaneously criticizing the band for performing them.
“People give us s*** all the time about playing the same set list,” Benante said. He noted that whenever the band asks fans what songs they want to hear, many of them end up requesting the very tracks that already dominate Anthrax’s live shows.
The drummer joked that if Anthrax suddenly removed all of its classic staples and filled the set entirely with new material, fans would likely complain about that as well.
Benante also explained that the type of performance plays a major role in determining the band’s song selections. Festival appearances, where Anthrax often performs in front of thousands of casual listeners, require a different strategy than headline club shows. In those situations, the band leans heavily on its best-known songs to keep audiences engaged.
“In a festival setting, you have to hit hard,” Benante explained. “You don’t want to lose thousands of people.” Because of that, songs that casual fans immediately recognize naturally receive priority.
When Anthrax headlines its own shows, the group has more freedom to experiment. Benante revealed that there are numerous tracks from albums such as Persistence Of Time (1990) and Worship Music (2011) that the band would love to reintroduce into live performances. Unfortunately, he said those deeper cuts often fail to generate the reaction fans expect.
According to Benante, many of the rare songs hardcore followers request online end up going largely unnoticed by the broader audience once they are performed live. While dedicated fans appreciate the effort, he said those moments frequently “go right over their heads” for everyone else.
Despite the criticism, Benante emphasized that Anthrax does listen to fan feedback and remains open to changing things up. He stressed that the band constantly evaluates its performances and tries to create the best possible experience for audiences.
The conversation comes during a busy period for Anthrax. The band is currently touring Europe and recently announced its long-awaited new album, Cursum Perficio, the group’s first studio release since 2016’s For All Kings. The record is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026, and has been described by Benante and guitarist Scott Ian as heavier, more aggressive, and more intense than some of the band’s recent work.
As Anthrax prepares for the next chapter of its career, Benante’s message to fans was clear: the band hears the requests, understands the criticism, and appreciates the passion. But when it comes to building a set list that satisfies both die-hard followers and casual concertgoers, there may never be a perfect answer.
