Anthrax - Cursum Perficio

by Kevin Wierzbicki

New York City thrash titans Anthrax return with new music; it has been a decade since the band last released an album. Fans don't need to worry that the guys have lost a step during the 10-year wait; Cursum Perficio finds Anthrax rocking hard, maybe harder than they ever have. The signature Anthrax thrash sound is on full display on cuts like "It's For the Kids" where drummer Charlie Benante pounds the skins so rapidly that fans who try to keep up by head banging might just have their noggin come loose and fly across the room. "The Edge of Perfection" begins in a deceptively calm mood before exploding into an orgy of thrash; appropriately enough the song is about a man's regrets throughout his life, with the thrash tones perhaps reflecting the discord in his head. "Infectious" tones down the thrash in favor of a grind sound while "NYC 93" features hard thrash and lyrics that reminisce about the old days in the band's hometown and a mindset that reflects youthful exuberance. Title cut "Cursum Perficio" is straight-ahead hard rock with minimal thrash overtones; fans that look up the song's Latin title will find that it roughly translates to "my journey is over" but they shouldn't read too much into that. True, Anthrax is in the twilight of their career but they have given no indication that they are ready to hang it up. The video for the song, which features actor London May restrained in heavy chains, seems more to refer to each individual's efforts to be rid of struggles and be satisfied with their life as it nears its conclusion (at video's end May is free of the shackles and walks away.) Still it's fun to sing along to the chorus "Now it's over..." while maybe reveling in the end of a temporary bad situation. The 11 songs on Cursum Perficio clock in at just under an hour and that's enough time for a nice break from reality; fans will definitely feel the urge to move but deep thoughts aren't necessary. The lineup here is Benante on drums, singer Joey Belladonna, bassist Frank Bello and guitarists Scott Ian and Jonathan Donais.

Rating: