The vinyl edition offers four LPs, as well as revised cover art that reflects what had been the album’s original visual concept.

Like Anthrax’s other recent deluxe editions, drummer Charlie Benante spearheaded the new Persistence of Time release. In addition to remastered versions of the original tracklist, the deluxe version features a B-side version of “I’m the Man”, which leans more hip-hop than the album track, a live version of “Time”, and an early demo of “Got the Time”, among other rarities.

The deluxe edition also features new cover artwork, which actually had been the original visual concept for the album. “I was at the height of my Salvador Dali phase, I was just absorbed in his art, and I wanted to tie the two together — Salvador Dali and time,” explained Ian in a press release. “I loved what [artist] Don Brautigam did with the original cover, but for this deluxe edition, I wanted it the way I had originally seen the cover in my head.

Persistence of Time also marked singer Joey Belladonna’s last album with the band until his return for 2011’s Worship Music. The vocalist recalled recording the album at Electric Ladyland Studios in New York City, saying, “That place has such an aura, recording in the same place where Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Led Zeppelin did, it was a really cool experience.”