Styx’s latest album “Crash of the Crown” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard rock album chart last month.
The excitement and joy over the news could only be described as “effervescent,” said Lawrence Gowan, singer and keyboardist for the band, set to play in Augusta at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 6, at the Bell Auditorium.
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The songs had been written prior to the pandemic, but the powers-that-be held the recording back and heightened the anticipation of its release, catapulting it to the top of the charters.
“There was a temptation to launch the album during the COVID year,” he said.
Instead, promoters scheduled a concert tour to coincide with the release.
“Crash of the Crown” is the follow-up to Styx’s 16th studio album, “The Mission,” which was the band’s first in 14 years when it came out in 2017. Critics hailed “The Mission” as a masterpiece, according to a news release.
Gowan, who has been with the band since 1999, said the new recording pays homage to the “legacy of the band” as well as providing a fresh, new flavor.
Founded in 1972 in Chicago, Styx will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. Some of the band’s greatest hits have included songs such as “The Best of Times,” “Mr. Roboto,” “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” “Lady,” and “Blue Collar Man.”
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While some of the band’s fans want to hear the songs from another era, other fans know the band from its current songs. Styx fans cover a wide demographic.
“About half of our fans are 35 years old and younger,” he said.
During the concert, songs are blended in such a way that the band moves from an older song seamlessly into a newer one with ease.
As the band looks ahead to its 50th anniversary on Feb. 22, 2022, Gowan said he knows there will be special events planned, but nothing definite has been set. He could envision concerts where the band played an entire album or two on the night.
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For now, Gowan and his bandmates are just happy to be able to play in front of live audiences again, he said.
Tickets to Styx are $49.50-$89.50 and are available at aectix.com.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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