REVIEW: Anthrax - Cursum Perficio
Thrash legends and one of the big four ANTHRAX are back with their first album in 10 years that seems to mark the end of something. ANTHRAX have never been the heaviest band in thrash, and this album is no exception. They have often brought sounds from across the rock spectrum into their music and this doesn't change that. As a collection of songs it’s the most modern the band has ever sounded, with crisp modern metal production. Songwriting-wise they still retain many of their signature structurally choices, but there's a noticeable modern edge with many of the riffs feeling less like the 80s party band ANTHRAX are often known for.
Take a song like The Edge Of Perfection, it sounds almost like a VOLBEAT song in the way it combines thrash elements with an alt-rock sound - the album does not sound out of place in the world of modern rock radio. The band have developed in their 45 years together, but Joey Belladonna’s vocals sound as great as ever and ring clear through the album. They retain their characteristic power and charisma, which for a 65-year-old is no easy feat. The album’s introspective feel is helped by how directly he sings every line.
The band do retain some of their old sound on tracks such as Infectious, which feel like it came directly from an excellent remaster of an album from the 80s. Another of the older style tracks is NYC 93, which features some of the punchiest bass of the album. The mix allows every instrument to shine without anything getting lost, it’s a true testament to the power of modern recording techniques.
Scott Ian’s guitar is as great as ever, there’s plenty of reasons as to why he is known as a guitar legend. Every riff played and every solo taken is metal joy. No song comes across as one note as the entire spectrum of what guitars can do in the band is on full display. The title track is a 6-minute journey showcasing the band on full form going through a range of textures, which for ANTRHAX is a little unusual. With the lyrics stating “now it’s over” it feels like the band are coming to the end of their journey. With many contemporaries recently announcing retirement tours and final albums, it feels like they too may be nearing thar point. The band on the album sound like they have plenty of life left in them and it would be a shame to lose such an important legendary band.
The band manage to make metal songs that have hooks and an almost pop structure to them without sacrificing any of their metal principles. They have been a band full of consistency for years. ANTHRAX are as metal as ever, they don’t sit around without absorbing any new influences they add them into their sound. The band have managed to create another collection of songs that will be a joy for metalheads around the world, and will fit in with other tracks in their live set. If this is the end for ANTHRAX it’s a high to go out on. Every member of the current lineup of the band creates a cohesive song writing unit for the album making it a strong release. With the album title translating to something like ‘my journey is over’ it does feel like that something is coming to an end for the band. Realistically they have less years ahead of them than they do behind, but whatever time ANTHRAX have left is sure to be a good time.
Score: 8/10
Cursum Perficio will be released on 18th October 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Words: Will Freeman
Photos: Travis Shinn
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