In a recent interview, Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante revealed that he has written at least eight new songs for the bands’ next record. In addition, the band has plans for a 30th-anniversary edition of the sometimes maligned State Of Euphoria (Island) re-release in 2018. More details below.

Benante was interviewed by Lana Morgan of Milwaukee’s 102.9 The HOG radio, which you can hear below. Parts of the interview were transcribed by Blabbermouth.net, which you can read below.

Benante commented on progress for the next Anthrax album:

“…I’ve sent some stuff to the guys, and Scott [Ian, guitar] was really supercharged and he was excited. I’m just going to continue. I like getting that type of feedback. It just helps for me to get inspired. I know I’m on the right path. I like to have about six to eight songs that are real Anthrax-type of songs. Then I can go a little left field, the other way, and try something else. But I like to have that solid foundation.”

Charlie on the thirtieth-anniversary re-release of 1988’s State Of Euphoria:

“I just spent basically a whole year putting together that package that’s going to come out next year, which is going to be the ‘State Of Euphoria’ deluxe edition. And, really, after listening to it again and again and again, I’ve discovered things about it and, of course, there was a time and a place and we all lived it, but, the reason why we were a bit unhappy with it was just that we felt we were so rushed. If that album maybe had a little bit more time, I think we would have done a few things differently here and there. That’s all. The second disc that will be on that will show you the evolution of the songs, from actual just guitar riffs, to rehearsal, to tracking, to actual song.”

Benante also said it’s possible the band will tour to celebrate that anniversary and the release. Anthrax continues to tour heavily behind 2016’s For All Kings album, released on Megaforce Records/Nuclear Blast.