Anthrax will release their long-awaited new album, For All Kings, on February 26th via Megaforce in North America, and elsewhere via Nuclear Blast. Overdrive spoke with guitarist Scott Ian about the upcoming release.

Overdrive: Is there anything that will be considered a surprise on this album or have you stuck to the trusted Anthrax formula?

Scott Ian: “No, it’s just the most metal record we have made in a long, long time! It’s Anthrax, but with extra metal (laughs)! There is way more thrashy stuff and heavy stuff on this record, also it’s just way more riff heavy, if you know what I mean? It’s way more proggy! (laughs) I’m just  kidding, there is no prog on this album! Actually that was the original title of the album, we were just gonna call it Prog and have a circle with a line through it (laughs)! I like prog, I’m just fucking with you! Seriously man all jokes aside, it’s not a jazz album or anything less than what our fans and we collectively wanted to make. It’s a very heavy fucking record and that’s what we wanted to achieve.”

Overdrive: “Evil Twin” was released as a lyric video recently, are there any plans to put out a video for the next single off the album or does it not really matter these days?

Scott Ian: “Not yet, as we are still talking about it. I can tell you that it won’t be for “Evil Twin”, but I’m pushing more towards the idea that it could be for a track called “Bloody Eagle Wings” and it’s a bit of an epic track, so we feel like we could really do a sort of short movie for it! This is still in talks at the moment, so it might not happen. But talking about videos, I really don’t see the purpose in doing videos these days and even back in the 80′s when MTV had Headbangers Ball, I still was thinking “what’s the point?”. Nowadays there is nowhere that really plays videos, apart from YouTube! Videos aren’t free and it can cost a hell of a lot of money for us to make them and then you have to consider the fact, that people are not buying records anymore.”

Read more at Overdrive.

For All Kings tracklisting:

CD1:
“You Gotta Believe”
“Monster At The End”
“For All Kings”
“Breathing Lightning”
“Suzerain”
“Evil Twin”
“Blood Eagle Wings”
“Defend/Avenge”
“All Of Them Thieves”
“This Battle Chose Us”
“Zero Tolerance”

CD2 (Bonus Live-CD):
“Fight ‘Em ‘Til You Can’t”
“A.I.R.”
“Caught In A Mosh”
“Madhouse”

"Evil Twin" lyric video:

Artwork preview video:

Trailer:

Drummer Charlie Benante promises that the eleven-song For All Kings will be "aggressive and super-thrashy”. The album was written by Benante, bassist Frank Bello, and rhythm guitarist Scott Ian, the dynamic triumvirate whose unique composition chemistry is, in part, what sets Anthrax's music apart from other bands' in the same genre. Add to that Joey Belladonna's breathtaking vocals and the searing guitar leads by newest member Jonathan Donais, and it's no wonder the band is so excited for fans to hear what will be their 11th studio album.

On January 15th, Anthrax will be releasing a deck of custom For All Kings playing cards at indie record stores. There is a download card inside that contains two tracks from the album prior to street date. Find a store in your area and make sure they get them in.

Anthrax have teamed up with Back Story Events for an exclusive live interview event to discuss the record on January 13th in New York City at AOL Studios (770 Broadway, 10003). Tickets include a meet and greet, complimentary beverages and more. Get tickets here.