Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian responded to listeners who labelled the band «leftist» because of «It’s For The Kids», a song about school shootings. He made it clear that he isn’t a liberal but a centrist.
The track was the first single from Anthrax’s 12th studio album, «Cursum Perficio», which was released on 18 September 2026. In the US it came out on Megaforce and in Europe on Nuclear Blast.
Speaking to «Los Angeles Times» journalist Jon Wiederhorn — who wrote his 2014 autobiography «I’m The Man» with him — Ian said: «I’m not a liberal. I’m a centrist. I like shooting and I like going to a range and shooting at targets. But I believe in common sense. And whatever political view anyone holds, I think we all agree that no one wants to see an eight-year-old kid shot in the face, which happens far too often».
Drummer Charlie Benante added: «I love this country. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have problems with it too. The way things are done here is wrong, and it annoys me so much that I say «forget it, I’ll put my head down and write a song»».
Ian had also spoken about the song in May 2026, telling Allison Hagendorf that becoming a father changed the way he sees the world and that his anger about these things ends up in lyrics. He also said he has written this way since he was a kid, since 1985, and that for him it’s a way to let off steam.
«Cursum Perficio» is Anthrax’s first record since «For All Kings» in 2016. The title is a Latin phrase usually translated as «I complete my journey». Even so, Ian and Benante have said the band has no intention of stopping.
See also: Frank Bello’s comment on «Cursum Perficio» and when Scott Ian admitted the mistake with Joey Belladonna.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2026-09-17/on-cursum-perficio-anthrax-chases-perfection-calls-out-broken-america