Metal Anarchy

Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson has announced a new album titled “The Overview.” The effort, which was recorded with Craig Blundell (drums), Adam Holzman (keyboards), and Randy McStine (guitars), will be available on March 14. Notably, the record and an accompanying film will premiere at BFI IMAX in London, UK on February 25.

“The Overview” Track Listing:

“Objects Outlive Us” (23:17):

01. “No Monkey’s Paw”
02. “The Buddha Of The Modern Age”
03. “Objects: Meanwhile” (lyrics by XTC’s Andy Partridge)
04. “The Cicerones”
05. “Ark”
06. “Cosmic Sons Of Toil”
07. “No Ghost On The Moor”
08. “Heat Death Of The Universe”

“The Overview” (18:27):

01. “Perspective”
02. “A Beautiful Infinity I”
03. “Borrowed Atoms”
04. “A Beautiful Infinity II”
05. “Infinity Measured In Moments”
06. “Permanence”

Wilson commented:

“I’m thrilled to be able to officially share with you that my new album, ‘The Overview’ will be released on 14th March. The album is based on the recognised phenomenon of the ‘overview effect’, whereby astronauts seeing the Earth from space undergo a transformative cognitive shift; some experience an overwhelming appreciation and perception of the planet’s beauty, but others see the Earth truly for what it is – insignificant and lost in the vastness of space.

Prior to the album’s release date, ‘The Overview’ will have its world exclusive premiere at the BFI IMAX in London on Tuesday 25th February. The music will be played back in immersive audio accompanied by a specially commissioned film by Miles Skarin that presents a constantly evolving series of visually stunning animated sequences documenting the vastness of space and the almost imperceptibly tiny part of it that the human race occupies. Screened on what is the UK’s largest cinema screen I’m confident this is going to be a pretty mind blowing experience.

‘The Overview’ will be released on Fiction Records in standard CD, blu-ray, half speed mastered (at Abbey Road) gatefold vinyl editions and limited deluxe art book. The blu-ray features high res stereo, 5.1 and Dolby Atmos mixes, all in both vocal and instrumental versions, for a total of 6 different audio streams. The deluxe art-book edition (in the same style and dimensions as previous SW deluxe books) features an additional 60 minute CD of music not included on the final album and an especially commissioned orchestral version of the 23 minute long ‘Objects Outlive Us’. The third disc is a blu-ray which expands on the standalone version by also including all of the bonus material in high res stereo, and 5.1 / Dolby Atmos mixes of the orchestral ‘Objects Outlive Us’.

The artwork for ‘The Overview’ was illustrated/photographed by Hajo Muller and designed by Carl Glover, their combined efforts creating a visually stunning companion to the music, perfectly encapsulating the album’s themes of space and perspective. Notably in the art-book edition there are several fold out multi-panel illustrations. In the past these deluxe editions have sold out very fast, so if you’d like a copy (and you won’t be disappointed, it’s pretty stunning), I would recommend not hanging around!”

Wilson will be hitting the road in support of “The Overview” this spring. Here’s the dates:

05/01 Stockholm, Sweden – Cirkus
05/02 Oslo, Norway – Konzerthaus
05/04 Copenhagen, Denmark – KB-Halen
05/06 Dusseldorf, Germany – Mitsubishi Electric Hall
05/07 Brussels, Belgium – Cirque Royal
05/09 Birmingham, UK – Symphony Hall
05/10 Bristol, UK – Beacon
05/12 London, UK – The London Palladium
05/13 London, UK – The London Palladium
05/15 Newcastle, UK – O2 City Hall
05/16 Glasgow, UK – Royal Concert Hall
05/18 Manchester, UK – The Lowry
05/19 London, UK – The London Palladium
05/20 London, UK – The London Palladium
05/22 Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live
05/24 Paris, France – Salle Pleyel
05/25 Paris, France – Salle Pleyel
05/26 Paris, France – Salle Pleyel
05/28 Lyon, France – Bourse Du Travail
05/29 Lyon, France – Bourse Du Travail
05/30 Stuttgart, Germany – Porsche Arena
05/31 Munich, Germany – Zenith
06/02 Berlin, Germany – Friedrichspalast
06/03 Hamburg, Germany – Sporthalle
06/04 Warsaw, Poland – Torwar
06/05 Gliwice, Poland – Prezero
06/07 Milan, Italy – Teatro Degli Arcimboldi
06/08 Rome, Italy – Parco Della Musica
06/10 Zurich, Switzerland – The Hall
06/11 Marseille, France – Cepac Silo
06/12 Barcelona, Spain – Para-lel 62
06/13 Madrid, Spain – Riviera