Styx haven't put out a studio album since 2005's Big Bang Theory, a collection of cover tunes that influenced the Chicago band. But that changes on June 16th with the release of The Mission, their 16th studio album.
The album's 14 tracks are said to "chronicle the trials, tribulations and ultimate triumphs of the first manned mission to Mars in the year 2033... It was created to reflect the viewpoint of the six-person crew enlisted for the maiden voyage of Khedive, the first entry in a new fleet of nuclear-powered interplanetary spacecraft underwritten by the Global Space Exploration Program."
Tommy Shaw, who co-wrote the album’s storyline, says, “The planets truly aligned for The Mission, and I couldn’t be prouder. It’s our boldest, most emblematic album since Pieces of Eight.”
Styx co-founder James “JY” Young adds, "In the 40th anniversary year of our release of our biggest-selling album of all time, Grand Illusion, it just seemed truly appropriate to save our new studio album until this year. Needless to say, I’m very excited.”
Keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, who sings the first single, "Gone Gone Gone," says, "The album feels simultaneously comfortable and new. It’s both entertaining and charming, and a natural progression of our sound.”
Styx will support the album this summer as they tour with REO Speedwagon and Don Felder.
Check out the official STYX Website