While speaking with Gregg McQueen of The Aquarian, Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante said he was motivated to conjure a vintage Anthrax vibe during the early stages of writing for the band's new album For All Kings, due out February 26th via Megaforce in North America.

“The first three or four songs I had for this record were flat-out thrash, a throwback to the old days, and they needed to be written,” Benante explained. “I became possessed by my guitar. It was like my guitar was making me write these songs.”

Anthrax entered the studio with more than 20 new songs this time, almost twice as many as the group had written for previous records. After penning the first few speed-laden tunes, the band chose to get adventurous.

“We wanted to explore different types of songs, and have this musical landscape that takes you somewhere from start to finish,” said Benante.

One new track the band is particularly proud of is “Blood Eagle Wings,” an eight-minute opus that is progressive-sounding for an Anthrax composition. “I think that song is special in its own way,” Benante explained. “It makes the hair on my arms stand up.” Read more by clicking here.

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:

Anthrax is currently in the midst of its first tour of 2016 alongside Lamb Of God, remaining dates are listed below:

January
22 - Constant Convocation Center - Norfolk, VA
23 - Hammerstein Ballroom - New York, NY
24 - Oakdale Theatre - Wallingford, CT
28 - Royal Oak Music Theatre - Royal Oak, MI
29 - Egyptian Room at Old National Center - Indianapolis, IN
30 - Aragon Ballroom - Chicago, IL
31 - Orbit Room - Grand Rapids, MI
 
February
2 - Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland - Kansas City, MO
4 - Revention Music Center - Houston, TX
5 - Bomb Factory - Dallas, TX
6 - Concrete Street Pavilion - Corpus Christi, TX
8 - ACL Live at the Moody Theatre - Austin, TX
9 - Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK
11 - Brooklyn Bowl - Las Vegas, NV
12 - Hollywood Palladium - Los Angeles, CA