Anthrax has finally ended their longest-ever recording drought with Cursum Perficio, a punishing and technically complex 11-track collection. Recorded at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 and produced by longtime collaborator Jay Ruston, the record bridges classic East Coast thrash fury with some of the darkest, most progressive textures the band has ever explored.
Track Listing
- Persistence of Memory (01:07) – A moody, atmospheric introduction.
- The Long Goodbye (05:34) – A grim, mid-tempo stomp tackling the horrors of dementia, echoing Persistence of Time.
- It’s For The Kids (04:20) – The blistering lead single; a high-speed, punk-infused thrash classic.
- Everybody’s Got a Plan (04:36) – An anthemic, New York-style street rocker complete with classic gang shouts.
- The Edge of Perfection (06:46) – The album’s experimental centerpiece, incorporating unexpected black-metal blast beats and tremolo riffs.
- Infectious (05:16) – A groovy, bass-heavy track driven by a monolithic riff.
- NYC 93 (04:48) – A riotous, Ramones-esque metal-punk ode to the band’s stomping grounds.
- Cursum Perficio (06:08) – The sprawling title track, loaded with massive vocal hooks and progressive drum gymnastics.
- T.O.M.B. (04:31) – A heavy, staccato-driven crusher that showcases Bello and Benante’s rhythmic lock.
- Watch It Go (05:43) – A dark, fast-paced, full-throttle thrash squealer.
- My Victory (04:54) – A triumphant, energetic closer driven by hyper-technical drumming.
In-Depth Review: Completing the Journey
The Latin title Cursum Perficio translates to “I complete my journey”—a phrase Charlie Benante lifted from a Marilyn Monroe documentary. While the band maintains this isn’t a final farewell, the album explicitly plays like a grand celebration of everything Anthrax has mastered over forty-plus years.
The album kicks off on a surprisingly heavy, emotionally raw note. Following the intro, “The Long Goodbye” delivers an unsettling, heavy-hearted look at cognitive decline, letting Joey Belladonna’s soaring vibrato take center stage against Scott Ian’s jagged riffs. From there, the record balances pure nostalgic fun with progressive risks. “It’s For The Kids” and “Everybody’s Got a Plan” are lean, direct, and packed with old-school skate-punk energy.
However, the real talking point is “The Edge of Perfection”. Seeing Anthrax experiment with atmospheric black-metal blast beats this late in their career is a shock to the system, but it acts as a phenomenal grower that proves the old guard can still evolve. Production-wise, Jay Ruston delivers a pristine modern sheen that doesn’t sacrifice the band’s signature gritty undercurrent. Benante’s drumming remains superhuman, and Ian’s right hand remains the gold standard of thrash rhythm guitar.
If there is a flaw, the album is slightly front-loaded, and a couple of the six-minute tracks on the back end stretch their welcome just a bit too long. Nevertheless, as a first album in a decade, Cursum Perficio is a triumphant, high-volume reminder of why Anthrax still stands tall in the Big Four.
Anthrax: Facebook
Release Year: 2026
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Category: Album
Country: Australia
Reviewed by MachineHead
