After a decade-long wait, ANTHRAX fans finally have a light at the end of the tunnel.
The band’s long-awaited new studio album is tentatively scheduled for release in May 2026, arriving in North America via Megaforce and in Europe through Nuclear Blast. Much of the recording and mixing took place at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Northridge, California, with producer Jay Ruston once again behind the board. Ruston previously worked with ANTHRAX on 2016’s For All Kings and 2011’s Worship Music, and has become a key creative partner for the thrash legends.
The tentative May release window was revealed by bassist Frank Bello during a recent interview with Long & McQuade’s Dan Coniglio. Speaking enthusiastically about the upcoming LP, Bello said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “The record will come out in May. 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.
“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.”
Bello’s comments echo the confidence expressed by drummer Charlie Benante, who spoke about the album’s progress this past December on the 100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal podcast.
Benante said at the time: “Not because it’s our record, but God, this record is so good. 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.”
Benante also opened up about the band’s continued collaboration with Ruston and how vital the producer has become to ANTHRAX’s modern era.
“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],” Charlie said. “And him and I have been working very close on this record.”
Describing the album’s development process, Benante explained how the songs gradually came together 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.
“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,'” he added. “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.”
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