Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has made a massive declaration regarding the band’s highly anticipated upcoming album, Cursum Perficio. During a recent guest appearance on the Full Metal Jackie weekend radio show, the legendary thrash metal pioneer boldly claimed that one of the new tracks is the absolute pinnacle of their extensive, decades-long catalog.
When discussing the creative highs of the new record, Ian specifically pointed to a track titled “The Edge of Perfection“.
“There’s a song called ‘Edge of Perfection,’ which I think is the greatest Anthrax song in the history of Anthrax,” Scott Ian stated (via Loudwire). “We have not written anything this great in our career. And to do that all these years in makes it all the more special.”
The guitarist elaborated on the profound personal meaning behind the track, explaining that the lyrics reflect his current state of mind and his deep appreciation for his family.
“There’s ‘Edge of Perfection,’ which I mentioned earlier, which I think is the greatest thing we’ve ever done, is very much about me, my family, what it means to me to have a family and living my life in this place of where nothing’s ever perfect. That would be a lie. But being on the edge of perfection is a really good place to be if you can be there. And striving to maintain that and working at that. I think that I’ve never had any real other goal in my life except to be happy. And I am. And what emotion is more powerful than love. Hate comes and goes unless you’re a complete piece of a human [s**t] being. But for me, love lasts forever. It stays. It’s so much more powerful and that’s the strongest emotion I’ve ever experienced and that’s what that song is, is certainly based in. It’s very of its time for sure,” he continued.
In addition to “The Edge of Perfection“, Ian also discussed the album’s lead single, “It’s for the Kids“, describing it as a massive, heavy offering designed specifically for their dedicated fanbase.
“And ‘It’s for the Kids,’ the first single, which I think is just a straight-up love letter to our fans. At some point when we were making the record, I said, ‘You know what’s missing right now? A really just straight-up in your face, punch in the face, kick in the teeth four-minute Anthrax song. I’m not hearing that yet. So we kinda had that focus when we were going into the second session of like, ‘Okay, let’s make sure we have that.’ And then Charlie sent me these parts and Frankie [Bello] sent me some parts and then I spent some time arranging it and that became ‘It’s for the Kids.’ I add some parts, too. It was a true collaborative effort. I’m so happy that’s the first thing that anyone’s gonna hear because think it’s the definition of our band and it’s a love letter to the fans certainly.”
Anthrax recently debuted “It’s For The Kids” live on May 26 at Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia, Bulgaria, while acting as the support act for Iron Maiden.
Set to arrive on September 18 via Megaforce Records in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast in Europe, Cursum Perficio marks the thrash metal pioneers’ first full-length release since 2016’s For All Kings, which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200. The upcoming album’s Latin title translates to phrases such as “My journey has come to an end,” “My journey is over,” or “I complete my journey.”
For the new album, Anthrax once again teamed up with veteran producer Jay Ruston, who previously helmed both For All Kings and 2011’s Worship Music. Portions of the recording and mixing sessions took place at Dave Grohl‘s renowned Studio 606 in Northridge, California.
Looking ahead, Anthrax will spend the summer touring Europe before rejoining Iron Maiden for a series of select North American dates in late 2026. According to Ian, the band will hit the road heavily in support of Cursum Perficio starting in 2027 and stretching well into 2028.
Cursum Perficio track listing:
- “Persistence of Memory“
- “The Long Goodbye“
- “It’s for the Kids“
- “Everybody’s Got a Plan“
- “The Edge of Perfection“
- “Infectious“
- “NYC 93“
- “Cursum Perficio“
- “T.O.M.B.“
- “Watch It Go“
- “My Victory“
Anthrax 2026 Live Shows & Tour Dates:
European & UK Leg
- June 09, 2026 – Dresden, Germany – Reithalle Dresden
- June 12, 2026 – Leeuwarden, Netherlands – Into the Grave Festival 2026
- June 14, 2026 – Ferrara, Italy – Ferrara Summer Festival 2026
- June 15, 2026 – Zagreb, Croatia – Boogaloo Zagreb
- June 16, 2026 – Vienna, Austria – Raiffeisen Halle im Gasometer
- June 18, 2026 – Dessel, Belgium – Graspop Metal Meeting 2026
- June 20, 2026 – Clisson, France – Hellfest 2026
- June 21, 2026 – Luxembourg City, Luxembourg – den Atelier
- June 24, 2026 – Stockholm, Sweden – Gröna Lund
- June 25, 2026 – Oslo, Norway – Tons of Rock 2026
- June 26, 2026 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Copenhell Festival 2026
- June 28, 2026 – Lyon, France – Groupama Stadium
- June 30, 2026 – Ramonville-St-Agne, France – Le Bikini
- July 01, 2026 – Bordeaux, France – Le Rocher de Palmer
- July 02, 2026 – Viveiro, Spain – Resurrection Fest 2026
- July 04, 2026 – Cartagena, Spain – Rock Imperium Festival 2026
- July 07, 2026 – Lisbon, Portugal – Estádio da Luz
North American Leg
- September 03, 2026 – Montréal, QC, Canada – Parc Jean-Drapeau
- September 05, 2026 – Harrison, NJ, USA – Sports Illustrated Stadium
- September 06, 2026 – Harrison, NJ, USA – Sports Illustrated Stadium
- September 17, 2026 – Louisville, KY, USA – Louder Than Life 2026
- September 25, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA, USA – BMO Stadium
- September 27, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA, USA – BMO Stadium
- September 29, 2026 – San Antonio, TX, USA – Alamodome
- October 02, 2026 – Mexico City, Mexico – Estadio GNP Seguros
