Creating and recording new music is often considered the lifeblood of any band — an ethos AOR torchbearers Styx continue to embody with the release of Circling From Above, the 18th studio album in their formidable catalog. Spanning 13 tracks, the album navigates the complexities of the human experience through the intersecting lenses of technology and nature.
The album, the band’s third in eight years, delivers a 41-minute, end-to-end listening experience that is both thought-provoking and exhilarating. A masterclass in storytelling, it blends signature Styx hallmarks with bold steps forward — building on the creative momentum of recent releases The Mission (2017) and Crash of the Crown (2021).
Driven by the kinetic energy of lead single “Build and Destroy,” the album is immediately available to fans at StyxWorld.com, the Universal Music Webstoreand all tour stops of Styx’s “Brotherhood of Rock” tour, which kicks off tonight in Greenville, S.C. The album’s official public release date is set for July 18.
Styx has remained a touring juggernaut for the past 25 years, but according to guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, the band’s current streak of artistic resurgence in the studio is due to multiple factors tethered to a deep sense of harmony.“
There’s just a lot of positive flow right now,” says Shaw. “There’s a lot of people playing great, and there’s a lot of love, respect and excitement about each other’s talents. Bands can go lifetimes and never have this kind of rapport and chemistry.”
Circling From Above features contributions from all seven members of the band, including founding guitarist/vocalist James “JY” Young (affectionately known as “The Godfather of Styx”), Shaw, original bassist Chuck Panozzo, drummer Todd Sucherman, keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan, and newest members Will Evankovich (guitars and vocals) and Terry Gowan (bass).
