CHARLIE BENANTE Says New ANTHRAX’s Album Will Include Three Songs That “Don’t Sound Like Anything We’ve Done Before”

In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, Anthrax members Charlie Benante and Scott Ian provided updates on the band’s highly anticipated album, which will be their first since 2016’s For All Kings.

Benante shared insights into the creative process, revealing that “there’s a song which has the same kind of epic feel as ‘In The End’ [from 2011’s Worship Music] and ‘Blood Eagle Wings’ [from For All Kings].” He described it as being deeply reflective of the band’s journey over the years: “It revolves around the journey we’ve been on in the band.”

Notably, he also mentioned three new tracks that are breaking new ground for the band, characterized by a unique blend of melody, chords, and underlying aggression: “And there are three songs that don’t sound like anything we’ve done before. One called ‘The Edge Of Perfection’ I had way before Covid, and it has just stayed with me – the melody and the chords, but also the aggression.”

Scott Ian further commented on the album’s status, noting: “None of the songs are actually finished-finished. Joey’s (Belladonna, vocalist) sang on nine of them. I’ve got lyrics to write for four of them. I think all the songs will be good enough to come out in some way, shape or form.”

Ian also touched upon the inspiring experience of recording the album at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606: “It’s a bit of a Foo Fighters and Nirvana museum, but it’s awesome. It’s like being in the most rock clubhouse ever, but it’s also inspiring being surrounded by the success of somebody who has only ever done it ’cos he fucking loves to do it.”

In a recent interview with Rodney McG, bassist Frank Bello said the new album will be heavier, more complex, and even feature “stuff we’ve never done before.”

“I know it’s been eight years since our last record, but we wanna make sure it’s right, and it is right,” Bello added. “We are very confident. I’m not worried about how right it is. It’s right on exactly where I think, and the rest of the band think, we need to be. I love that it’s more complicated for me to play. I love the challenge of that. I think we stepped it up a little bit, the heaviness. Again, everybody’s gonna prop their record. Doing this for so long, this is how I feel. I don’t wanna get complacent. I want the challenge, ’cause I’m a fan. I’m a fan, and it has to stimulate me. And it has to get me going on stage.”