In a candid conversation with Andrew Slaidins of The Rockpit’s "50 Shades Of Slaids," Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian provided a significant update on the band’s long-awaited new studio album, tentatively slated for a May release. North American distribution will be handled by Megaforce, while Nuclear Blast will manage European releases. The highly anticipated LP saw a portion of its recording and all of its mixing sessions take place at the renowned Studio 606 in Northridge, California, a facility owned by Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl. This marks the band’s continued collaboration with producer Jay Ruston, who previously helmed Anthrax’s critically acclaimed 2016 album "For All Kings" and 2011’s "Worship Music."
A Decade in the Making: The Road to the New Anthrax Masterpiece
Scott Ian expressed his palpable excitement about the forthcoming release, confirming that the album would indeed arrive this year, with an official announcement imminent. "The album’s coming out this year," Ian stated. "I am not going to tell you when, but I will say there’s an announcement coming soon… But, yeah, we want the album to come out this year… The fact that we’re putting out our first record since 2016 and we feel really good about it, that’s the focus and that’s the plan [for the rest of 2026], totally."
The significant gap between studio albums, a decade since "For All Kings," was a point of discussion. Ian clarified that this extended period was not by design. "We weren’t planning on [taking] 10 years [to release a new album]," he explained. "In actual time, ’cause if you take out the time we were on tour for ‘For All Kings,’ ’cause that record came out in ’16, and we didn’t finish the touring cycle till November of ’19 on that album. We had already started writing at that point for a new record. And we thought we were just gonna take off for Christmas and New Year’s at ’19 going into ’20 and then get back together in ’20 and make a record. And then, of course, the world had other plans for everybody. So it wasn’t until some point later in ’21 that that started picking up again. Really, if you look at actual time we spent writing and recording the record, it’s probably about three years, which, I think, that’s pretty average these days, certainly for a band [like ours]." This timeline highlights the significant impact of the global pandemic on the music industry, delaying countless projects and forcing creative adjustments.
Teasing the New Sound: Live Previews and Fan Anticipation
During their recent Canadian tour alongside fellow thrash legends Megadeth and Exodus, Anthrax debuted a snippet of new material, igniting fervent fan speculation. When asked if Australian fans attending their four shows in late March could expect to hear new music, Ian remained coy but hinted at future revelations. "Well, I am [able to tell you more about that song snippet], but I’m not going to, because, like all these things, there’s a plan, there’s a timeline. We’ve got lots of exciting shit up our sleeve. It’s so hard not to talk about shit. It’s so hard to not wanna just spill the beans and just fucking play the record for everybody already."
Ian conveyed the immense internal pressure and excitement within the band to share their new work. "I think people don’t understand that," he admitted. "I see comments online of people [saying], ‘Where’s the fucking record?’ How do you think we feel? We’re the guys in the band. Granted, I’ve heard the record, of course, but who cares if I’ve heard it? That doesn’t matter. I want everyone else to hear it. I’m so fucking excited. Eight people have heard this fucking album. So I can’t wait for people to hear it. I can’t wait. And I know what we have. It’s like having just the most powerful weapon in the world at your disposal, but you’re missing this one little thing and you can’t use it."
He further elaborated on the live experience of new material, promising a superior rendition compared to informal online recordings. "I can’t wait for people to hear it. And I’m excited. And we will probably play a piece of something when we’re down [in Australia], I’m sure. And it’ll sound way better live than the little snippet you hear on YouTube through somebody’s phone. And, yeah, soon enough the first song will be out." This statement suggests that the band is confident in the live delivery of their new material and aims to build further anticipation before the official single release.
Absence of Covers and Future Possibilities
A notable observation from previous Anthrax albums has been the inclusion of cover songs. When questioned about whether any covers were recorded for the new LP, Ian revealed that this was not the case, a detail he only realized upon being asked. "We didn’t record any covers, which is funny ’cause I don’t think I realized that," he said. "I think at some point during the process we talked about it and I don’t know why we ended up not, but until you just mentioned it, I hadn’t thought about that." He recalled instances of the band experimenting with covers, such as Charlie Benante recording drums to Van Halen’s "Romeo Delight," though these were never completed. The closest the band came to a cover on an official release was their performance of Black Sabbath’s "Into The Void" at Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert, "Back To The Beginning," in July 2025. While this performance is slated for release on a DVD, it will not be featured on the new studio album.
Ian also hinted at the possibility of future releases beyond the upcoming album. "There are a bunch of other songs," he disclosed. "There’s one or two others that are finished that we held, and there’s one or two that are close that still needed some work. So over the next couple years, it might be cool. We could have some other new shit come out over the next few years while we’re on tour too." This suggests a potentially prolific period for Anthrax, with additional material being considered for release in the near future, perhaps as EPs or standalone singles.
Bassist Frank Bello’s Enthusiastic Endorsement
Anthrax bassist Frank Bello echoed Scott Ian’s enthusiasm in a separate interview with Dan Coniglio of Long & McQuade. Bello confirmed the tentative May release window for the new album and expressed immense pride in its sonic direction. "The record will come out in May," Bello stated. "I’m very proud. It’s so heavy. Some parts are really hard to play — really hard to play, which I’m happy to say, ’cause I like the challenge of it all. Joey’s [Belladonna, Anthrax singer] vocals — I don’t understand how the guy could sing like that, but he still is killing it. And I’m very psyched."
Bello assured fans that the new material would resonate with those who have enjoyed their recent output. "If you like the last two records we’ve come out with and the past stuff, I think everybody’s gonna be happy, ’cause as fans, we’re very stoked," he added. "And it’s been a while, guys, so thank you for waiting. It’s been 10 years [since the release of the last album]. So we made sure it’s worthwhile." This sentiment underscores the band’s dedication to delivering a high-quality album after a considerable hiatus, aiming to reward the patience of their fanbase.
The Collaborative Forge: Anthrax’s Creative Process
Delving into the band’s creative methodology for the upcoming album, Bello detailed the challenges and evolution of their songwriting process, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. "We had to get over the COVID thing, like everybody else," he explained. "We couldn’t be one of those bands that were doing it over video, ’cause the latency, number one… Say we were jamming on something, it would come out a half a second later. It’s, like, ‘Oh,’ and you lose the vibe. So we would just send files to each other and stuff like that. And then we got together when it was safe to get together, when they told us it was safe."
The core of the songwriting involved the foundational trio of Bello, Ian, and drummer Charlie Benante. "So the three of us — Charlie, Scott [Ian, bass] and I — got together, as we’ve done all our lives, and started exchanging ideas. And from the files we’ve had, [we went through it and said], ‘What’s good? Is that good? Does that work here? Back and forth. And then you go home again and see what works. Then we start putting melodies to it, and then we put lyrics… It’s really like making a cake. It really is that. So it starts with the foundation of the three of us getting the music together. Music [comes first] and then melodies, usually. Scott and I usually go back and forth with that a lot. Charlie comes up with a lot of great music ideas, but we all came out with a lot of music ideas in this. And then the melodies. Scott and I would work on that a lot. And it’s an open thing. Everybody can come in with ideas. That’s the idea. And then the lyrics would come on top. And to get it through us, to make sure, as fans, and we’ve been doing this for a while — we cut out a lot of stuff: ‘No’. ‘Yes’. ‘No’. ‘Yes’. ‘Cause you want the best, like everything else. Like mom and my grandmother said, it’s gotta be the best. Work ethic. Editing is really tough, and it’s hard. Sometimes you lose parts that you love, but if it’s not good for the song. It’s all about the song, man. At the end of the day, that’s all we’re about. It’s about the song. And still to this day. Period."
Bello emphasized the importance of artistic compromise and ego management in a collaborative environment. "I’m still brokenhearted," he admitted when discussing letting go of cherished ideas. "And it’s true. I think every songwriter will tell you that. Especially when you’re in a band, when you’re just not writing the stuff by yourself. When you’re collaborating, you have to be open and get ready for that. If that’s not working, you can’t force feed it in, ’cause it’s gonna screw up the song and not make it as potent as it can be. You gotta say, ‘All right, I gotta get rid of that ego thing and [be, like], ‘Okay. You’re right.’ And learn to say ‘you’re right’ and ‘I agree’. And then when you really feel strongly about something, you gotta remember that other side of it and you gotta really fight your way through. And sometimes that works too. So it’s a balance." This insight provides a behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous but ultimately rewarding process of crafting cohesive and impactful music.
A Glimpse at the Visuals and Sonic Evolution
The band’s commitment to the new album is further underscored by the filming of a music video for the lead single in December. This indicates that promotional activities are well underway, aligning with the anticipated May release.
Drummer Charlie Benante, in a December appearance on the "100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal" podcast, offered his own glowing assessment of the album. "Not because it’s our record, but God, this record is so good," Benante declared. "And I know it took a long time to make, but I think people will really be surprised and they will really grasp this and just be, like, ‘Oh my God. This is worth the wait.’ At least that’s what I think." He also drew a parallel between producer Jay Ruston and legendary Beatles producer George Martin, highlighting Ruston’s integral role in shaping the band’s sound. "I’ll tell you, man, Jay’s done the last few Anthrax records, and he’s become… We talked about [legendary THE BEATLES producer] George Martin before, and Jay has become that [for us]. And him and I have been working very close on this record."
Benante elaborated on the album’s development, describing how individual songs coalesce into a cohesive whole. "I know other bands will understand when I say this — it’s, like, you could have three or four songs and it’s, like, ‘Okay, they’re good.’ Then you have seven, then you have 10, then the record starts to take shape." He expressed his satisfaction with the final sequencing and flow of the album, stating, "A couple of months ago, I started to listen to all of [the songs from the new Anthrax album] in the order that I think we’re gonna put the record in, and it’s, like, ‘Wow, this is really good.’ It’s the best thing when you could put them all together and it just flows. So I’m really excited about it… We pushed the envelope on this record too, so I’m happy about that."
Album Art and Vocal Prowess: Further Teasers
In July 2025, Benante shared details about the album’s artwork, which he designed in collaboration with artist Mark Stutzman, known for his conceptual art for David Blaine’s National Geographic series. "It’s so trippy as hell," Benante described. "I designed it with this artist, who is killer… It’s so weird how things happen to me… I was looking for an artist and I’m watching this David Blaine documentary, and there’s this art, which is exactly what I wanted. And I contacted him, and he loved the idea and he was a fan. So it’s so crazy how things just turn out that way." This indicates a visually striking and potentially unconventional album cover that aligns with the band’s artistic sensibilities.
Earlier in July, Bello spoke with SiriusXM’s "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk," providing further praise for Joey Belladonna’s vocal performance. "I can’t say the title [of the album yet]," Bello said, "but what I can say is people who have liked the last two records, and there’s been a lot of you, and thank you for that, I think we took another step from that. And this isn’t just a salesmanship thing. I am, as a fan, really proud of the band stepping up like this — musicianship, songwriting. Joey’s vocals — I’m not even joking when I say this about Belladonna, it’s one of the best singing he’s done on an Anthrax record. I’m not even joking with that. So, we made sure the melodies, everything is right with this record. We’re ready to go. It’s been a long time, but I think we have the goods. I’m really proud of it, and I can’t wait to play this stuff. It’s gonna be a little challenging, definitely, but I’m looking forward to getting out there again." This high praise for Belladonna’s vocal contributions suggests a significant artistic and performance-driven element to the new album.
A Legacy of Thrash Metal Excellence
Anthrax, formed in Queens, New York, on July 18, 1981, by Scott Ian and Dan Lilker, stands as one of the foundational pillars of thrash metal. Alongside contemporaries Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth, they defined the genre’s aggressive sound and rapid-fire tempos. Over their illustrious career spanning five decades, Anthrax has released 11 studio albums, garnered multiple gold and platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, and embarked on extensive global tours. Their legacy includes iconic performances, such as headlining Madison Square Garden and playing at Yankee Stadium as part of the legendary "Big Four" concerts.
The period leading up to "For All Kings" was considered a renaissance for the band, fueled in part by their inclusion in the "Big Four" tours and the successful comeback album "Worship Music." The critical acclaim surrounding "For All Kings," with some critics hailing it as their strongest effort to date, set a high bar for subsequent releases. The anticipation for their latest studio album is therefore immense, as fans eagerly await the continuation of this storied band’s musical evolution. The forthcoming release promises to be a significant event for thrash metal enthusiasts worldwide, marking another chapter in the enduring legacy of Anthrax.