New Styx album announcement coming 5/6/21

[FormerDJMike]

Up on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Crash-Crown-LP-Styx/dp/B0932Q3LZF/ref=tmm_vnl_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1620314046&sr=8-2

[ChicagoSTYX]

A new era of hope, survival, and prosperity comes calling on STYX's Magnum Opus, Crash of the Crown, the band's first studio album since 2017's The Mission. Though the 15-track album takes a hard look at some inherently dark subjects, the prevalent light at the end of the tunnel eventually becomes each song's focal point - a persistent fervor to keep moving forward and achieve the greater good. Featuring "Crash of the Crown," "Reveries" & more. From Amazon.

[RumTumJM]

Does anyone, here, have further insight into the album's premise.

Unless it's just the way that I'm interpreting the blurbs, it seems like it could have a (perhaps, somewhat) political message/story.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Crash Of The Crown Tracklist
1. The Fight Of Our Lives
2. A Monster
3. Reveries
4. Hold Back The Darkness
5. Save Us From Ourselves
6. Crash Of The Crown
7. Our Wonderful Lives
8. Common Ground
9. Sound The Alarm
10. Long Live The King
11. Lost At Sea
12. Coming Out The Other Side
13. To Those
14. Another Farewell
15. Stream

[FormerDJMike]

I'm watching the countdown on https://crashofthecrown.com/ and the image is changing, showing shadows. I assume it will eventually show the whole album cover.

[FormerDJMike]

So nothing new on the crash of the crown website, other than the clock is not ticking. I preordered from Styxworld. The clear vinyl and shirt. I thought the first single would come as a download? Didn't get anything other than a confirmation text that I placed an order.

[FormerDJMike]

STYX FIRST NEW STUDIO ALBUM IN FOUR YEARS, 'CRASH OF THE CROWN,' SET FOR RELEASE JUNE 18
The legendary rockers--James "JY" Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals)--will release their 17th album June 18 on the band's label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which will be sold as clear vinyl, black vinyl, CD, and on digital platforms. Fans can pre-order it here and at Styxworld.com starting Thursday, May 6.

The title track to CRASH OF THE CROWN was released today—premiering exclusively during Eddie Trunk's "Trunk Nation" program on SiriusXM Satellite Radio--and is now available to stream and download with pre-orders on digital platforms. Fans can listen to the new song here.

The song "Crash of the Crown" itself breaks some brave new world ground for STYX. Actually, it's the first cut in the band's storied canon to feature three lead vocalists, seeing how it has James "JY" Young unleashed at the starting gate, Tommy Shaw heading up the heroic stacked-vocal middle section, and Lawrence Gowan leading the vocal charge for the final verse. "I'm always looking for the one different thing we can do and still have it be STYX," the ever-ebullient Gowan notes, "and that's the song I'm most proud of. The beauty of it is that it's the culmination of all our talents crammed together into one song, ABBEY ROAD-style. I also got to use some gear I never thought I'd have the chance to play on a STYX record like Tommy's Hammond B3 organ, my Minimoog, and my Mellotron."

Efforts to record CRASH OF THE CROWN began in earnest at Shaw's home studio in Nashville during the fall of 2019, with Gowan — STYX's criminally minded showman extraordinaire and keyboardist/vocalist since 1999 — in the room together with Shaw and the album's producer, Will Evankovich, as he conjured up the album's first song to be recorded, with cosmetic flourishes that reign over the insistent, yearning call for togetherness, "Common Ground." But the global pandemic that inevitably transformed the way we all wound up living in 2020 changed the course for how many of the band's home-and-away recording sessions ultimately had to set socially distanced sail. Safety precautions took precedent for all involved STYX bandmembers and production compatriots with much diligent quarantining and testing required before any one of them could travel to Shaw's tranquility homebase to spread the uniquely ingrained STYX stardust that's been duly sprinkled across the album's cosmically chosen 15 tracks.

Of all those who made the trek to Nashville, original STYX bassist Chuck Panozzo — who, along with his late twin brother, drummer John Panozzo, formed the initial nucleus of STYX when they began jamming together in their basement on the south side of Chicago in 1961 — is hands down the most effusive about the experience. "I'm constantly amazed at how Tommy's songwriting continues to connect with the social consciousness that spans across generations," marvels Chuck, who plays on "Our Wonderful Lives" and "Lost at Sea," Lawrence's all-too-brief aquatic fever dream. "Both he and Will have been able to tap into the core elements of the human condition, which is something that's not going to change that much in 50 years — or even 500 years. That's why STYX remains relevant after all this time, because we're part of the human condition."

Whether it's the heady rush of the groundwork-laying opening track "The Fight of Our Lives," the wistfully observational treatise of "Reveries," the cautionary extended hand of comfort and redemption that frames "Hold Back the Darkness," the undeniable uplift of "Our Wonderful Lives" (a beautiful sentiment further embellished by a most welcome, first-ever appearance by a banjo on a STYX album!), or the elegiac clarion call for shared grace in "To Those," CRASH OF THE CROWN is music that is both concurrently of its time and truly timeless all at once. Although the official release date for this landmark album may be time-stamped as 2021, the omnisciently observational content of CRASH OF THE CROWN readily brings to mind an amalgamation of historical events that occurred in 1066, 1455, 1775, 1861, 1941, and even 2001 without citing any of them by name — Winston Churchill's prescient wartime observations that permeate the pervasive pleas of "Save Us From Ourselves" notwithstanding. In essence, CRASH OF THE CROWN (or COTC, for short) is a modern-day sonic chronograph of the endless regenerative cycle of the rise and fall — and rise again — of our shared human experience.

"We've never been a protest band. We're more like a gospel caravan trying to send out positive messages wherever we go," observes CRASH OF THE CROWN co-creator and overall visionary Tommy Shaw, who joined STYX in December 1975 as a guitarist/vocalist and instantly became one of the band's most important songwriters. "In order to share those positive messages, you have to look at what the problems are first to figure out all the ways you can help make sure everything's going to be alright. That's a very important part of how we do what we do."

Though COTC takes a hard look at some inherently dark subjects, the prevalent light at the end of the tunnel eventually becomes each song's focal point — a persistent fervor to keep moving forward and achieve the greater good.

STYX's holy mission for cutting CRASH OF THE CROWN was crystal-clear to its co-creator from the get-go. "Absolutely no obstacles were going to get in the way of how we approached creating this album," Shaw concludes about the herculean recording efforts of his fellow COTC makers. "And everything came out exactly the way we wanted to hear it."

CRASH OF THE CROWN is the follow-up to STYX's 16th studio album, THE MISSION (their first in 14 years at the time, which critics called "a masterpiece") which was released June 16, 2017 on the band's label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The highly anticipated two-disc reissue of THE MISSION was released on July 27, 2018 via Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, which includes a CD of the original album, as well as a Blu-ray of the album mixed in 5.1 surround sound accompanied by stunning visualizations for each of the album's 14 songs based on the album artwork. It originally debuted on various Billboard charts, including: #6 Top Rock Albums, #11 Physical Albums, #11 Vinyl Albums, #13 Current Albums, #14 Billboard Top Albums, #16 Retail, #17 Mass Merch/Non-Traditional, #29 Digital Albums, and #45 Billboard 200 (includes catalog and streaming).

Additionally, for Record Store Day on Saturday, June 12, STYX will also release THE SAME STARDUST EP on blue 180-gram 12-inch vinyl only, which will feature two brand-new songs on side one ("The Same Stardust" and "Age of Entropia"), as well as five live performances on side two of some of STYX's classic hits previously heard during their "STYX Fix" livestreams that have been keeping fans company during the pandemic on their official YouTube page, including "Mr. Roboto," "Man In The Wilderness," "Miss America," "Radio Silence," and "Renegade."

In touring news, STYX and COLLECTIVE SOUL are rested, healthy, and ready to hit the road for their first-ever multiple city tour together. STYX had previously announced their return to Las Vegas with a three-night sold-out engagement at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian® Resort Las Vegas on September 24, 25, and 26, which will include an exclusive set list and brand-new stage production. Tickets for various cities, as well as exclusive VIP packages from each band, are available now at StyxWorld.com and CollectiveSoul.com.

[StyxGuy]

oof... the clear vinyl is over $50 CAD after taxes (via MusicVaultz -a store run by Universal Music Canada)

Guess I'll be sticking to the black vinyl.

[ztyxlynne]

Looks like as with The Mission there will be a limited edition clear vinyl according to my Google searches (I'm finding results, but the links currently go to blank pages - as the web stores are likely hiding the pages until the official announcement and pre-orders start)

That's what I will be ordering, if still available. Got The Mission on clear vinyl.

Had to dig up a cached version, I'm assuming they went live with it a little early as the link doesn't work now but they had the full track listing... and a few sites seem to be matching a release date of June 25th.

Anyone want spoilers on the track listing?

Yes! I hope all the members have writing credits on this album. Not Just Tommy and Will. I

[ChicagoSTYX]

Crash Of The Crown is the #5 best selling album overall this morning on Amazon. And is second in rock albums.

[Grotelul]

As far as The Mission having no real concept, I believe it was Chuck on BTM who said they didn't know what the concept was for KWH. What about that Suite?

[SuiteMadameBlue]

As far as The Mission having no real concept, I believe it was Chuck on BTM who said they didn't know what the concept was for KWH. What about that Suite?

I watched BTM again and Chuck said nothing about not understanding Kilroy as you claim. Not only was Kilroy an easily understood concept that even you can understand it was a story as well. Ahead of its time on warning about the dangers of technology and predicting the rise of the PMRC and music censorship. It was also purposely funny at times.
You opened the door so what was the Mission concept outside of were all going tra la.
“Light it up let’s get this show on the road”. Yeah and? Two meaningless videos that didn’t have anything to with space travel unless you consider a cheap drone flying aimlessly a profound statement.
Check out the Roboto YouTube video comments and you’ll find high praise and acknowledge of its being ahead of its time.

[ChicagoSTYX]

As far as The Mission having no real concept, I believe it was Chuck on BTM who said they didn't know what the concept was for KWH. What about that Suite?

I watched BTM again and Chuck said nothing about not understanding Kilroy as you claim. Not only was Kilroy an easily understood concept that even you can understand it was a story as well. Ahead of its time on warning about the dangers of technology and predicting the rise of the PMRC and music censorship. It was also purposely funny at times.
You opened the door so what was the Mission concept outside of were all going tra la.
“Light it up let’s get this show on the road”. Yeah and? Two meaningless videos that didn’t have anything to with space travel unless you consider a cheap drone flying aimlessly a profound statement.
Check out the Roboto YouTube video comments and you’ll find high praise and acknowledge of its being ahead of its time.

And the video for Haven’t We Been Here Before... how does that fit the concept?

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I can't wait till the 30 sec clips come out on Itunes so I can do a review of the album.

Styx wont make that mistake. DDY’s samples disappeared the next day. Sloppy promotion. That what happens when you use your cousin Vinny, who also sells used cars, to be your promoter. Well, maybe not that bad but but DDY and the music of Styx is most likely a family run business.

Aunt Mimi must be in charge of the Styx releases given the myriad of confusing announcements and dates about blue vinyl, then album release then a singles mystery with a countdown In what appears to be ashes to create tension that resulted in a bevy of negativity on their own Facebook page. CS then you act as translator, just check all your posts as you explain and explain. And in Morris code. But that’s your Job

[ChicagoSTYX]

I can't wait till the 30 sec clips come out on Itunes so I can do a review of the album.

Styx wont make that mistake. DDY’s samples disappeared the next day. Sloppy promotion. That what happens when you use your cousin Vinny, who also sells used cars, to be your promoter. Well, maybe not that bad but but DDY and the music of Styx is most likely a family run business.

Aunt Mimi must be in charge of the Styx releases given the myriad of confusing announcements and dates about blue vinyl, then album release then a singles mystery with a countdown In what appears to be ashes to create tension that resulted in a bevy of negativity on their own Facebook page. CS then you act as translator, just check all your posts as you explain and explain. And in Morris code. But that’s your Job

We can wait to see where each album comes in on the Billboard top 200.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

We can wait to see where each album comes in on the Billboard top 200.

On this site you are the explainer, spinner and propagandist for your hero’s. But you still haven’t explained the greater meaning of the Mission concept.
Tommy’s Styx has released COTC with the worst sung verses in their history. Actual Styx fans know it and that’s why in an act of cowardice for the first time ever they have turned off comments on YouTube. Explain that please. You won’t you’ll just say "hey look over here".

[ChicagoSTYX]

We can wait to see where each album comes in on the Billboard top 200.

On this site you are the explainer, spinner and propagandist for your hero’s. But you still haven’t explained the greater meaning of the Mission concept.
Tommy’s Styx has released COTC with the worst sung verses in their history. Actual Styx fans know it and that’s why in an act of cowardice for the first time ever they have turned off comments on YouTube. Explain that please. You won’t you’ll just say "hey look over here".

I believe the explanation is in the liner notes. Do you have it on vinyl? Clear or black? I’m looking forward to both of these Styx releases. Stardust and Crown. I’ve already heard samples of every song on DDYs album and there may be a couple decent songs on it but for the most part it looks to be another corn ball snooze fest. The last song he wrote alone that I really liked was Pieces of Eight.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

We can wait to see where each album comes in on the Billboard top 200.

On this site you are the explainer, spinner and propagandist for your hero’s. But you still haven’t explained the greater meaning of the Mission concept.
Tommy’s Styx has released COTC with the worst sung verses in their history. Actual Styx fans know it and that’s why in an act of cowardice for the first time ever they have turned off comments on YouTube. Explain that please. You won’t you’ll just say "hey look over here".

I believe the explanation is in the liner notes. Do you have it on vinyl? Clear or black? I’m looking forward to both of these Styx releases. Stardust and Crown. I’ve already heard samples of every song on DDYs album and there may be a couple decent songs on it but for the most part it looks to be another corn ball snooze fest. The last song he wrote alone that I really liked was Pieces of Eight.

CS. Cornball Snoozefest lol. Corporate Sales. Constantly Spinning. Crappy Songs.

The liner notes on the Mission say nothing of interest and the lyrics are even worse. I looked back on this site and saw many fans comments wondering what was the concept. No one knows. Not just me but you as well.
Instead of explaining how the lyrics illuminate the concept you cower in the corner trapped by your own ignorance.
Their press release which was just released that mentions “clarion call” was written after they heard Misanthrope not before.
Dennis wrote that song last year and
When fans do not like COTC they complain about it being disjointed it’s because as the producer and brains behind Styx Dennis knew how to construct songs and arrange them. They do not have those skills anymore and instead they hire a nobody to produce because he carry’s any baggage Tommy gives him. And you do the same. “Tommy doesn’t have to speak you defend a drunkards dream if I ever did see one” “The Band”s Cripple Creek”.

Title tracks of days gone by.
Grand Illusion
Crystal Ball
Pieces of 8
Rockin the Paradise
Mr.Roboto.
COTC ?

You say some of the songs on the Mission should have been longer, you mean better.

[ChicagoSTYX]

CS. Cornball Snoozefest lol. Corporate Sales. Constantly Spinning. Crappy Songs.

The liner notes on the Mission say nothing of interest and the lyrics are even worse. I looked back on this site and saw many fans comments wondering what was the concept. No one knows. Not just me but you as well.
Instead of explaining how the lyrics illuminate the concept you cower in the corner trapped by your own ignorance.
Their press release which was just released that mentions “clarion call” was written after they heard Misanthrope not before.
Dennis wrote that song last year and
When fans do not like COTC they complain about it being disjointed it’s because as the producer and brains behind Styx Dennis knew how to construct songs and arrange them. They do not have those skills anymore and instead they hire a nobody to produce because he carry’s any baggage Tommy gives him. And you do the same. “Tommy doesn’t have to speak you defend a drunkards dream if I ever did see one” “The Band”s Cripple Creek”.

Title tracks of days gone by.
Grand Illusion
Crystal Ball
Pieces of 8
Rockin the Paradise
Mr.Roboto.
COTC ?

You say some of the songs on the Mission should have been longer, you mean better.

Please go back and read the reviews of the mission.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Please go back and read the reviews of the mission.

I went back and read a bunch, some weren't that flattering. The positive ones were posted on here.

CS....... Do you realize we've been going back and forth on here for about 17 years? You and I are the last ones from the original bunch.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Please go back and read the reviews of the mission.

I went back and read a bunch, some weren't that flattering. The positive ones were posted on here.

CS....... Do you realize we've been going back and forth on here for about 17 years? You and I are the last ones from the original bunch.

Wow, 17 years! Agree or disagree, I do have fun discussing the music with you. There were quite a few regulars here that have moved on. Maybe some will return with all the new music coming out. I’m considering going to Summerfest to see Styx in September. If you decide to go would you autograph my copy of Crash Of The Crown?

[FormerDJMike]

Please go back and read the reviews of the mission.

I went back and read a bunch, some weren't that flattering. The positive ones were posted on here.

CS....... Do you realize we've been going back and forth on here for about 17 years? You and I are the last ones from the original bunch.

I've been here since the beginning as well but created a new account years ago when I forgot my password and used a company email address (for a company I no longer worked for).

[StyxGuy]

Please go back and read the reviews of the mission.

I went back and read a bunch, some weren't that flattering. The positive ones were posted on here.

CS....... Do you realize we've been going back and forth on here for about 17 years? You and I are the last ones from the original bunch.

I've been here since the beginning as well but created a new account years ago when I forgot my password and used a company email address (for a company I no longer worked for).

Apparently I signed up for an account here in 2009, but waited 6 years before posting anything

[Monker]

Please go back and read the reviews of the mission.

I went back and read a bunch, some weren't that flattering. The positive ones were posted on here.

CS....... Do you realize we've been going back and forth on here for about 17 years? You and I are the last ones from the original bunch.

This is simply not true. YOU are a late comer. These forums started around 2000, maybe earlier. MR may have even been called "AOR Hotspot" at that time. Froy made a post to the Journey Usenet newsgroup, alt.music.journey, when they first started. If someone wants to go dig into Usenet archives, I'm sure you can find the post

The "join" date on the profile is also misleading because I know Andrew went through at least one forum upgrade where everybody had to rejoin and that date got reset.

[ChicagoSTYX]

Please go back and read the reviews of the mission.

I went back and read a bunch, some weren't that flattering. The positive ones were posted on here.

CS....... Do you realize we've been going back and forth on here for about 17 years? You and I are the last ones from the original bunch.

This is simply not true. YOU are a late comer. These forums started around 2000, maybe earlier. MR may have even been called "AOR Hotspot" at that time. Froy made a post to the Journey Usenet newsgroup, alt.music.journey, when they first started. If someone wants to go dig into Usenet archives, I'm sure you can find the post

The "join" date on the profile is also misleading because I know Andrew went through at least one forum upgrade where everybody had to rejoin and that date got reset.

Does anyone know what happened to Froy? He was a pretty passionate current Styx hater. Some say he was DDY in disguise. Kind of like Kilroy!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Does anyone know what happened to Froy? He was a pretty passionate current Styx hater. Some say he was DDY in disguise. Kind of like Kilroy!

He's on Facebook posting in all the music groups often. I think the last time I saw him was about 2 years ago at a concert.

I'm still in contact with a lot of the people that use to post on here, either in person or on Facebook. It's great that most of us became friends mainly because of the music of Dennis DeYoung. Most of us met at the DDY concerts over the years, either in the Midwest or east coast concerts.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I've been here since the beginning as well but created a new account years ago when I forgot my password and used a company email address (for a company I no longer worked for).

Apparently I signed up for an account here in 2009, but waited 6 years before posting anything

StyxGuy and FormerDJMike, you were also early in posting too when we all went back and forth Great times!

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Please go back and read the reviews of the mission.

I went back and read a bunch, some weren't that flattering. The positive ones were posted on here.

CS....... Do you realize we've been going back and forth on here for about 17 years? You and I are the last ones from the original bunch.

Wow, 17 years! Agree or disagree, I do have fun discussing the music with you. There were quite a few regulars here that have moved on. Maybe some will return with all the new music coming out. I’m considering going to Summerfest to see Styx in September. If you decide to go would you autograph my copy of Crash Of The Crown?

I'll be at Summerfest, but won't be seeing the current Styx. I'll be filming at other stages - if they don't cancel it again.

[ChicagoSTYX]

I'll be at Summerfest, but won't be seeing the current Styx. I'll be filming at other stages - if they don't cancel it again.

Looks like things are really starting to pick up now with everyone announcing tours! Lets hope nothing gets canceled!

[StyxGuy]

I'll be at Summerfest, but won't be seeing the current Styx. I'll be filming at other stages - if they don't cancel it again.

Looks like things are really starting to pick up now with everyone announcing tours! Lets hope nothing gets canceled!

I've always wanted to check out Summerfest, seems like a bonkers festival... never heard of it until a few years ago!

Here in Canada we've got nothing going on and most summer festivals are starting to announce their second year of being cancelled.... Concerts *might* happen by November (there are full indoor concerts being planned for then). Right now we're still trying to get everyone their first dose of vaccine, hoping to have everyone that wants it fully vaccinated by end of Sept :/