Metal Anarchy

During an appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,” Anthrax’s Frank Bello offered an update on the band’s new album. According to him, “the record’s done.”

Bello said the following:

“The record’s done. It’s going into mixing now. Look, I know it’s a long time coming, and thank you to the fans that are listening right now, and I know it’s been a while. But between COVID, side projects, everything, we’ve all had different lives, and everybody’s very much into what we’re doing now with ANTHRAX. So, you’ll be hearing something before the end of the year, for sure.”

He continued when asked if a single will arrive this year:

“That is the plan, Eddie. That is the plan. ‘Cause nobody puts out records right away — just a song and then a song, and you tease it out.”

He also discussed the musical direction:

“I can’t say the title [of the album yet], but what I can say is people who have liked the last two records, and there’s been a lot of you, and thank you for that, I think we took another step from that. And this isn’t just a salesmanship thing. I am, as a fan, really proud of the band stepping up like this — musicianship, songwriting. Joey’s [Belladonna] vocals — I’m not even joking when I say this about Belladonna, it’s one of the best singing he’s done on an ANTHRAX record. I’m not even joking with that. So, we made sure the melodies, everything is right with this record. We’re ready to go. It’s been a long time, but I think we have the goods. I’m really proud of it, and I can’t wait to play this stuff. It’s gonna be a little challenging, definitely, but I’m looking forward to getting out there again.”

He went on to confirm that Anthrax will be everyone’s main focus in 2026:

“That is carved out, from my manager Mike Monterulo, straight from his mouth. We’re we’re concentrating specifically on ANTHRAX. Look, there may be shows here and there for other projects and that’s fine when we’re off, but it’s absolutely focused on ANTHRAX and the record and getting it out there and really making people hear the stuff.”

He also added the following about touring plans:

“There’s things being booked now. There might be even stuff being booked for this year, at the end of the year. We don’t know. The contract’s being signed right now. We’ll see. I can’t tell you right now, Eddie, ’cause it’s not signed, but you’ll love the tour we’re talking about doing later this year, if that works out. I hope it does. [If it happens, it will be] with a package… It’ll be fun. I hope it works out. That’s just a tease I have to put out there, because I wanna let people know that we are actually working on this and we are hungry. And, look, I’m biting at the bit to do this, and that [BLACK] SABBATH [final concert in Birmingham] we just did [in early July] made me wanna play more, obviously. So, it’ll be fun to do. I’m looking forward to it.”

[via Blabbermouth]