Anthrax have returned with Cursum Perficio, the legendary thrash-metal band’s first new album in 10 years.

Heavy Consequence caught up with Anthrax bassist Frank Bello to discuss the album, the band’s tour supporting Iron Maiden, and the past and potential future of the “Big 4” of thrash metal, among other topics.

Get Anthrax Tickets Here

While 10 years between albums seems like a long time, the members of Anthrax weren’t exactly sitting around doing nothing. In fact, in some ways, there were busier than ever, with drummer Charlie Benante becoming a member of the revamped Pantera, guitarist Scott Ian playing with Mr. Bungle, and Bello himself touring with Satyricon.

“We still have been active,” explained Bello in the video interview above. “Anthrax is a touring band. That’s what we do. [With] COVID, unfortunately, we did try to write, but the latency was bad. There was no vibe. To write records and Anthrax songs, Charlie, Scott, and I need to get together and be in a room… that’s just the way we work.”

With all the classic members of Anthrax in their 60s now, the band still has a youthful energy onstage, with Bello telling us, “To be honest with you, dude, at 60, I’m still a fucking kid in my mind. It’s the body that’s gotta follow. It’s all maintenance at this stage, really. I’ve been a yoga guy for over 20 years now. I have no choice. It’s not even to fucking preach yoga or anything like that…  How do you stay onstage and do what you have to do at the level you want, like 100-, 110-percent? That’s what I find that works right now.”

Anthrax are part of the “Big 4” of thrash metal, including Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. With Slayer playing again after previously calling it a day, and Megadeth in the midst of a farewell tour, it would seem that this may be the last opportunity for some more “Big 4” shows, with the last one having taken place 15 years ago.

“It’s certainly not up to me,” Bello said of potential “Big 4” shows. “Talk to Metallica. I would do it in a heartbeat. If it’s meant to be, it’ll be, but they know our number… It was great for fans, and there’s a whole generation that hasn’t seen that. Of course we’d do it, but, yeah, we’ll wait for the call.”

Check out our full video interview with Frank Bello above, and catch Anthrax on their last few North American shows with Iron Maiden (pick up tickets here). And if you haven’t already, pick up the new album Cursum Perficio here.

Trouble viewing the interview above? Watch on YouTube.