Anthem was the band's first full-length album recorded with the new lineup which consisted of Willcox, Joel Bogen, Phil Spalding, Nigel Glockler and Adrian Lee.

The album cover features a painting by Steve Weston which presents Toyah as a female fairy with wings, carrying the head of a decapitated male humanoid, with pyramids and smoke in the background.

The singer explained that it refers to the theme of strength and domination, and that it was inspired by science fiction works of such authors as J. R. R. Tolkien and Philip K.

[2] Original vinyl issues of the album came complete with a colour insert featuring photographs of the band wrapped in bandages, with various exposed body parts sprayed gold, and Egyptian themed drawings across the lyrics pages.

Anthem was released in CD format in 1985, adding the three remaining Four from Toyah songs and the non-album single "Thunder in the Mountains" as bonus tracks.

It was then re-issued in 1999, again with the Four from Toyah material, B-sides of the single "I Want to Be Free" and its music video, and "For You", a song from the Anthem recording sessions which did not make it onto the original album.

In September 2022, the album was re-released by Cherry Red Records, adding two bonus discs of rare and previously unreleased material, and a DVD with live performances and music videos.