ANTHRAX have unveiled “The Edge Of Perfection,” the second single from their upcoming 12th studio album, Cursum Perficio, due out September 18 via Nuclear Blast Records and Megaforce Records in North America.
The new track showcases another side of the band’s latest material, Lyrically, the song explores themes of love, fulfillment, and the delicate balance of preserving what matters most.
Accompanying the single is a cinematic music video directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Joel Harlow (Star Trek, Alice in Wonderland). The visually ambitious clip follows its protagonist through a surreal dreamscape into an evening of magic and underworld horrors, interwoven with live performance footage from the band. The video also features appearances by martial artist Wes Scarpias, actress Ashley Edner-Tancharoen, actor Troy James, legendary special effects artist Rick Baker, actor Rod Maxwell, and actor Fedor Steer.
Guitarist Scott Ian described the track as one of the band’s defining achievements.
“It’s the apex predator of Anthrax songs. I think it’s the best song we’ve ever written and the best thing I’ve ever been a part of creatively,” Ian said, explaining that the song’s inspiration came from the power of love and the desire to protect it.
Drummer Charlie Benante echoed that sentiment, comparing the feeling of hearing the completed song to landmark ANTHRAX classics.
“When I think about songs like ‘Only’ and ‘Indians,’ you know that you hit something and you can feel it. That’s the way I felt about ‘The Edge Of Perfection.’”
“The Edge Of Perfection” follows the release of “It’s For The Kids,” the first single from Cursum Perficio, and continues building anticipation for the band’s first studio album in a decade since 2016’s For All Kings, which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200.
Recorded primarily at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles, Cursum Perficio was produced by Jay Ruston alongside ANTHRAX. The album combines the band’s trademark aggression with an expanded musical scope while honoring the legacy that has made them one of thrash metal’s most influential acts.
Cursum Perficio Track Listing
- Persistence of Memory
- The Long Goodbye
- It’s For the Kids
- Everybody’s Got A Plan
- The Edge Of Perfection
- Infectious
- NYC93
- Cursum Perficio
- T.O.M.B
- Watch It Go
- My Victory