Anthrax, the venerable titans of New York thrash metal, are poised to unleash their twelfth full-length studio album, "Cursum Perficio," on September 18th, marking their first new studio record in a decade. The album, slated for release via Megaforce in the United States and Nuclear Blast in Europe, is being heralded by a unique and immersive marketing campaign centered around its striking album cover. The band has begun rolling out a series of animated short clips, each delving into the narrative of the characters depicted in the artwork, with the initial installment premiering on July 28th. This strategic rollout aims to build anticipation and offer fans a deeper connection to the album’s thematic elements.
The multifaceted campaign includes the unveiling of individual character backstories, a concept inspired by the promotional strategies of classic films. Drummer Charlie Benante, a key creative force behind the band’s lyrical and conceptual direction, drew parallels to the "Meet The Characters" campaigns for Tim Burton’s "The Nightmare Before Christmas." "When Tim Burton released ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ they did this whole ad campaign, ‘Meet The Characters, Meet Jack, Meet Sally,’ and they gave a little description about them," Benante explained. "This is what inspired the idea to release these stories about the characters." This approach underscores Anthrax’s commitment to engaging their fanbase beyond just the music, offering a richer, more cinematic experience.
Unveiling the Characters: A Deep Dive into "Cursum Perficio" Artwork
The artwork for "Cursum Perficio" was crafted by artist Mark Stritzel, who collaborated closely with Benante on the characters featured. The subsequent animation was brought to life by Emmanuel Cappellini. Benante elaborated on the genesis of the characters, stating, "When we came up with the art for the cover, we felt the characters needed to have a backstory and not just be an image on an album cover."
The initial character spotlighted was the Magician. Benante revealed that this figure was originally conceived as a younger iteration of "The Preacher," a character from Anthrax’s seminal 1987 album, "Among The Living." The concept evolved to portray him as a sadistic magician. Following the Magician, the band is systematically introducing other figures, including Clara, the Bride, and her Dog, aiming to provide a narrative gateway into the album’s visual landscape. "For the bride [Clara] and Dog, we wanted to make something that was another door into the cover and get a glimpse of who these characters are," Benante added.
The release schedule for these character vignettes follows a weekly pattern, with each Tuesday dedicated to unveiling a new story. This methodical approach will continue through September 1st, culminating with the reveal of the "Hands" character. This staggered release strategy serves to maintain consistent fan engagement in the weeks leading up to the album’s launch, creating a sustained buzz.
A Decade in the Making: The Genesis of "Cursum Perficio"
"Cursum Perficio" arrives ten years after Anthrax’s critically acclaimed 2016 album, "For All Kings," which notably debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. The album title itself, "Cursum Perficio," is derived from Latin and translates to "My journey has come to an end," "My journey is over," or "I complete my journey." This profound statement hints at a potential thematic arc within the album, though the band has stopped short of definitively calling it a farewell.
The extended hiatus between studio albums can be attributed to a confluence of factors, including creative incubation and the unforeseen disruptions of the global pandemic. Benante, who spearheads much of the band’s songwriting, candidly explained the creative process. "The honest answer I can give is, me personally, I didn’t have it to write. I didn’t feel it. It just wasn’t the right time. I was, like, ‘Well, I don’t have anything to say right now. I don’t think the band has anything to say.’ And then the whole pandemic happened, which we started to actually write before the pandemic, and then that happened, and then that set us back – what? – two years."
However, the period also allowed for the curation of existing material. "A lot of these songs on this record – there’s a song called ‘Target On My Back’ [‘T.O.M.B.’]; that’s from 2015. There’s a lot of stuff that was old that I had, and then there’s some new songs that I felt, ‘This is too good to hold back and wait. I want this out.’" This approach suggests "Cursum Perficio" is a rich tapestry woven from both newly composed pieces and long-gestating ideas, offering a comprehensive snapshot of Anthrax’s creative output.
Benante further elaborated on the collaborative songwriting process, detailing how he would share demos with guitarist Scott Ian. "I would do these demos and I would put them in a Dropbox, and then Scott [Ian, Anthrax guitarist] would listen to them, and then he’d write me. He’s, like, ‘I didn’t even know about this song.’ And I’m, like, ‘Oh yeah.’ I would just do the demo and throw it in there. So all of a sudden, we started to get an abundance of these songs, and then we would get together – me, Scott and Frankie [Bello, Anthrax bassist] – and kind of play them live. And it was such a great feeling to be back with them and just playing some new songs." This camaraderie and renewed creative energy were crucial in bringing the album to fruition.
A Sonic Statement: "The Edge of Perfection" and "It’s For The Kids"
The lead-up to "Cursum Perficio" has been punctuated by the release of powerful singles, offering a glimpse into the album’s sonic direction. The official music video for the LP’s second single, "The Edge Of Perfection," has been met with considerable attention. For this cinematic endeavor, Anthrax partnered with director and Academy Award winner Joel Harlow, known for his work on "Star Trek" and "Alice In Wonderland." The resulting video is a visually stunning narrative that transports the viewer from a dreamscape into a realm of dark magic, interspersed with dynamic live performance footage. The video also features notable appearances from martial artist Wes Scarpias, actress Ashley Edner-Tancharoen, actor Troy James, Academy Award-winning make-up and special effects creator Rick Baker, actor Rod Maxwell, and actor Fedor Steer, amplifying its production value and artistic scope.
Earlier, the band released "It’s For The Kids" as the first single. Drummer Charlie Benante discussed the song’s reception during an appearance on "Talk Is Jericho," the podcast hosted by Fozzy frontman and wrestling superstar Chris Jericho. "Well, for me, I’ve been waiting so long for this moment because I’ve lived with this song for so long. And I knew once people heard it… You know how it is, man. It’s like when you have a song and you think it’s really good, but you can’t really… How do you know how good it is until people hear it and then you get that feedback? And it’s so important, for me at least, to hear that feedback."
Benante emphasized the deliberate choice behind this initial single. "The first song, we wanted to release something that really represents the band and shows that we’re not slowing down. We’re hitting as hard as we feel we are. So it was definitely a statement." He also acknowledged a fan’s sentiment that the song served as a "love letter to our fans," a description he readily embraced.
Lyrical Depth and Musical Evolution
Scott Ian, the band’s primary lyricist, also navigated periods of creative introspection. Benante noted, "I even know Scott at some point was having a little bit of a writer’s block, too, as far as the lyrics goes, because Scott writes the lyrics for the band. And Scott’s such a great lyricist." He highlighted the deeply personal nature of some of the album’s tracks, citing "The Long Goodbye" as a prime example. "For me, it’s a very personal and emotional song. It’s about Scott’s dad, who had Alzheimer’s. And it’s called ‘The Long Goodbye,’ and that, to me, even when I talk about it, I think about his dad, ’cause I loved his dad." This underscores the album’s capacity to explore profound human experiences alongside its aggressive musicality.
Benante also shared insights into the musical arrangement process. He described his demoing technique, which often involves extended versions to explore variations. "Every time I do a demo, man, I do, like, an eight-minute demo, but the reason why I do that is because I like to put a different variation of the riff. If I’m doing, like, a minute and a half of the riff, well, then maybe at five minutes, the riff changes a little bit, because I want everybody to hear it as, like, ‘Well, we can do that part first and then bring…’ You know, just arrange it differently. And Scott and Frank are really good with arranging the song." This collaborative approach to arrangement allows for the maximization of musical ideas and ensures a polished final product.
The Title’s Resonance and Artistic Vision
The selection of the album title, "Cursum Perficio," was a serendipitous discovery for Benante. He recounted how, while watching a documentary about Marilyn Monroe, he noticed a tile in her Beverly Hills home inscribed with the phrase. "And when I was watching it and the narrator was saying what it was and what it meant, dude, a light just went off in my head. I’m, like, ‘That’s it. That’s the title right there.’" The title’s somber yet resolute meaning resonated deeply with Benante, and upon presenting it to the band, it was met with unanimous approval.
The artistic direction for the album cover was similarly inspired by a fascination with vintage magic posters, reminiscent of those associated with Harry Houdini, and the evocative art found in contemporary docuseries. Benante sought an artist whose style mirrored the "Coney Island type of art" and the visually summarizing pieces used in David Blaine’s docuseries. This led him to discover and commission Mark Stritzel. Benante described Stritzel’s work as "a very strange kind of Salvador Dalí-esque type of piece of art." The cover is reportedly rich with "Easter eggs," hidden references that fans are actively seeking out, further enhancing the interactive nature of the album’s release.
Diverse Formats and Recording Environment
"Cursum Perficio" will be available in a wide array of formats, catering to the diverse preferences of collectors and fans. These include a standard CD edition, a Target-exclusive CD featuring a fabric patch, a standard black double LP with a pop-up gatefold, and several limited-edition vinyl variants. These include a Target-exclusive red zoetrope double LP, an Amazon-exclusive purple zoetrope double LP, a merch-exclusive lilac vinyl double LP, a Metal Injection-exclusive white vinyl double LP, a Talk Shop Live-exclusive signed red ripple vinyl double LP, and an Indie-exclusive red, orange, and yellow vinyl double LP. This comprehensive offering ensures widespread accessibility and collector appeal.
The recording sessions for "Cursum Perficio" took place primarily in 2022 at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles. The band meticulously crafted this "magnum opus," drawing inspiration from their extensive history while pushing the boundaries of their signature sound. Produced by Jay Ruston and Anthrax, the album is described as embodying the same anger, aggression, and vitality that have defined their most celebrated works. This collaborative production environment, coupled with the band’s seasoned approach, promises a powerful and impactful listening experience. The album’s release is poised to be a significant event in the metal calendar, demonstrating Anthrax’s enduring relevance and creative prowess.
