In stores and on all platforms July 18 /
Discover the single Build and Destroy
Montreal, May 2025 – Creating and recording new music is often considered the lifeblood of any band — a mindset that STYX, the iconic flagbearers of AOR rock, continues to embody with the release of Circling From Above, their 18th studio album.
Available now at www.styxworld.com, the Universal Music Store, and at shows on their Brotherhood of Rock U.S. tour — which includes its only Canadian date this year at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage on August 13th — Circling From Above will be released in stores and on all digital platforms on July 18th.
The band’s third album in eight years, Circling From Above features 13 tracks that delve into the complexities of the human experience through the intersecting lenses of technology and nature. A true masterclass in musical storytelling, it blends STYX’s signature style with bold new directions, following in the footsteps of their previous albums The Mission (2017) and Crash of the Crown (2021).
The first single, Build and Destroy, sets the tone: a burst of kinetic energy and emotional depth powered by STYX’s unmistakable sound. Produced by Will Evankovich, this collective work reflects the band’s renewed unity, with strong contributions from Tommy Shaw, Lawrence Gowan, and James “JY” Young. The album’s cover art — depicting a murmuration of starlings forming a giant bird above an abandoned satellite — highlights one of the central themes: abandoned human dreams and the impact of our technology on the world.
For 25 years, STYX has remained a powerful force on stage, but according to guitarist-vocalist Tommy Shaw, this recent artistic resurgence in the studio stems from a deep sense of harmony within the band. There’s a lot of positive energy right now, says Shaw. Everyone is performing at an incredibly high level. There’s a lot of love, respect, and excitement about each other’s talents. Some bands go their whole lives without ever reaching this kind of chemistry.
Circling From Above features all seven current 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 newcomers Will Evankovich (guitar and vocals) and Terry Gowan (bass). The album was produced by Evankovich, who also produced the previous two albums before officially joining the band.
The 13 songs were written by various combinations of Shaw, Evankovich, and Gowan. According to Gowan, the creative process is based more on true collaboration than majority rule. On the last three albums, I’ve seen a real desire to make sure everyone feels good about the outcome, he explains. There are creative tensions, but everyone has a voice. It’s a very healthy environment. It’s a strange three-way democracy, but we all know that STYX, as an institution, stands above all else, adds Evankovich.
Tommy Shaw: Acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin, vocals
Todd Sucherman: Drums and percussion
James Young: Electric guitar, vocals
Chuck Panozzo: Bass
Lawrence Gowan: Piano, B3 organ, synthesizers, Mellotron, harmonium, vocals
Terry Gowan: Bass, double bass
Will Evankovich: Acoustic & electric guitars, mandolin, harmonica, synthesizers, soundscapes, vocals
