Anthrax bassist Frank Bello recently addressed speculation about whether the band’s upcoming album title suggests retirement. He shared his thoughts in an interview with Loudwire.
The discussion centered around the band’s new album “Cursum Perficio,” a Latin phrase meaning “the journey is complete.” Fans have questioned whether this indicates Anthrax may be nearing the end of their career.
“It could mean something different to me than my friend Chuck. That’s what I have to say. I’m being a little facetious here, but the truth of the matter is we don’t know. We don’t know. It could be, maybe not. There’s no answer to that,” Bello said.
The bassist emphasized the band’s current enthusiasm and dedication to their craft.
“What I do know is that we’re having a fucking blast right now … I’m f*cking confident and I’m feeling really good. If this is it, talk about leave it all on the table. That’s what we do. I’m not patting our f*cking backs or whatever. The truth of the matter is we care. We’re f*cking fans. It has to pass us to get to you, know what I mean? Because we care,” he continued.
Bello also reflected on the time and effort invested in creating the new record.
“And it’s been a long time and we took a long time writing this record for a reason and we wanted to make it right. So I can honestly say, if we walked out that door and said, ‘Thank you,’ I’m happy. But I don’t know … We don’t know about an hour from now what the hell’s going to happen. That’s the kind of life we’re living right now, so I’m just here to fucking enjoy the ride. We have a great record that I’m psyched about,” he added.
Bello’s comments come as the band prepares for a significant milestone in their career. Wikipedia reported that “Cursum Perficio” is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026. This marks the band’s first studio album in 10 years since “For All Kings” in 2016.
The extended gap between albums represents the longest period between Anthrax studio releases in the band’s history. Blabbermouth noted that the album’s creation was significantly impacted by external circumstances. Work began as early as 2020 but faced delays due to the pandemic and other factors.
The recording process itself was extensive and deliberate. Wikipedia detailed that Anthrax worked on the album at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles during 2022. The record is being produced by Jay Ruston and the band themselves. The lengthy creation process appears to align with Bello’s emphasis on taking time to “make it right.”
Despite the dramatic Latin title that translates to “the journey is complete,” the band’s promotional activities suggest this is far from a farewell statement. Blabbermouth revealed that Anthrax recently released their first single “It’s for the Kids” on May 15, 2026. The band has also scheduled tour dates supporting Iron Maiden on select North American dates for their Run for Your Lives World Tour in fall 2026.
The album is being positioned as a major creative statement rather than a retirement announcement. Early descriptions suggest it will sound “angry, aggressive, and alive” while mining the band’s history and broadening their signature sound.
