Anthrax bassist Frank Bello recently opened up about the band’s dynamics after being together for decades, sharing his thoughts in a statement on the BREWtally Speaking Podcast. He explained how the band has changed the way they handle disagreements over the years and also discussed his outlook on Anthrax’s upcoming album, “Cursum Perficio.”
“I’ll tell you this: after all this time, what you learn after a while, take the step back instead of being right away, without thinking it out, just being in attack mode,” Bello said. “No, you gotta pull it back and listen to everybody’s view.”
“I think that’s really important. That’s what you learn after… Maybe it’s wisdom after a long time. You get to know everybody’s vibe. And it’s really [about having] respect for everybody in the group. It really is that. It’s just taking that step back. And look, I haven’t always done this, other people in my band haven’t done this, but we know this works. So, we all know we’ll get over it at the end of the day. But there isn’t a lot of that anymore, honestly, because I think we’re so into what we’re doing. That was the growing stages.”
Bello then turned his attention to the band’s upcoming release, describing how confident and grateful the group feels heading into it.
“Anthrax, as we speak, coming out with this new record, [‘Cursum Perficio’, on] September 18th — shameless plug — after 10 years, dude, I can honestly say we’re in a really good place as a band,” he continued. “I just feel like everybody knows this works, and we made what we think is a great record, and the reaction for the first three singles has been insane. We’re so humbled. Humbled is seriously the word. I can’t believe the reaction we’re getting, the great reaction, and we can’t wait to play this stuff.”
“So, yeah, it’s been 10 years for a record, and you know what? It’s paying off for us because we’re feeling the vibe from the people. And I think Anthrax is in a really good place as a band, and from what fans and newer fans are showing — we’re getting a lot of new fans now, which is awesome. It’s turning over. I didn’t see that coming, to be honest with you. But the demographics are changing, which is awesome, along with our normal fans that have stayed with us through this whole time. It’s great, dude.”
Bello’s comments arrive as Anthrax builds momentum toward one of the most significant releases of their career. The details surrounding the record underscore just how much is riding on this comeback.
“Cursum Perficio” marks Anthrax’s 12th studio album and their first full-length release in a decade. It follows 2016’s “For All Kings.”
The record will be released through Megaforce Records in the United States. Nuclear Blast will handle the European release.
The band has been steadily building anticipation for the album through a string of singles. The latest, “Everybody’s Got A Plan,” dropped alongside an official music video as the third track unveiled from “Cursum Perficio” ahead of its release.
Anthrax is also planning a celebration to mark the album’s arrival. The band will host a midnight in-store signing at Guestroom Records in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 18 at 12:01 AM. The signing follows their performance at the Louder Than Life festival the night before, on September 17.
With a decade-long wait finally coming to an end, the combination of new music, a packed release schedule, and direct fan engagement events reflects the band’s effort to make the most of the moment. Bello describes the response from both longtime supporters and a growing wave of new fans as genuinely humbling.
