Table of Contents
Interview: Styx soars again with “Circling From Above” and the Brotherhood of Rock tour is coming to Bridgeport this week
Left to right: Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Terry Gowan (bass, vocals), Will Evankovich (mandolin, guitars) Photo by Jason Powell
After more than five decades of redefining progressive rock with sonic ambition, melodic complexity, and deep lyrical insight, Styx proves they are far from finished. The legendary band has just released their 18th studio album, Circling From Above, and it’s already being hailed as a masterclass in storytelling and sonic craftsmanship. As they embark on the powerhouse Brotherhood of Rock tour with The Kevin Cronin Band and Don Felder, Styx is not only celebrating their legacy—but adding to it.
In a recent interview, Styx keyboardist and vocalist Lawrence Gowan gave insight into the making of Circling From Above, the creative process behind their single “Build and Destroy,” and what keeps the band—and their fans—coming back for more.
Circling From Above, released through the band’s Alpha Dog 2T/UMe label, is a 13-track journey exploring the tension between human ambition, nature, and technology. From the opening notes to the final chords, the album is both introspective and explosive—classic Styx with a contemporary lens.
“We started writing this right after Crash of the Crown came out in 2021,” Gowan explained. “We felt we were on a roll, and as the songs developed, we noticed this record had its own personality.”
The album features contributions from all seven band members, including founding guitarist James “JY” Young, Tommy Shaw, and Gowan himself. The themes are heavy, but they’re grounded in vivid melodies and compelling arrangements. Lead single “Build and Destroy,” with Gowan on vocals, captures the emotional and thematic core of the record.
“That melody stayed in my head,” said Gowan. “Even though we don’t sing over that part, I kept thinking it would be a good title. It just felt like it matched the energy—and message—of the song.”
The songwriting process was a deeply personal one. Gowan, Shaw, and producer Will Evankovich (now also an official band member) collaborated on every track. For Gowan, progressive rock is not just about elaborate musicianship—it’s about the message.
Styx’s latest Circling From Above, vinyl/CD out now, streaming, will be released on July 18
“Progressive rock is a mindset,” Gowan shared. “It’s about exploring what a band can be.”
One standout track, “Forgive Alright,” touches on the complexities of emotional growth and letting go. “You say you forgive, but do you really?” Gowan asked. “That tension—between intention and truth—is something we all wrestle with.”
To recreate the magic of their classic era, Styx turned to vintage equipment and analog techniques. “We used a lot of clunky old machines from the ’70s,” Gowan said. “It wasn’t nostalgia—it was about capturing a sonic structure that’s part of the band’s DNA.”
That dedication to authenticity extends to Gowan’s iconic keyboard work, a pillar of Styx’s identity since the band’s early days—even before he joined in 1999. “Keyboards can change the entire flavor of a track,” he explained. “I’m constantly aware of that with every song we create.”
Styx’s legendary live shows are more than nostalgia trips. On the Brotherhood of Rock tour, the band performs The Grand Illusion in full—alongside hits and new material. “We’ve been playing ‘Build and Destroy’ live,” said Gowan. “It’s going over incredibly well. It’s a huge relief to know fans still want to hear new music.”
Asked which song fans react to most, Gowan quickly named “Renegade.” “It just lifts the entire crowd,” he said. “‘Too Much Time on My Hands’ gets people out of their seats too. It’s impossible to stay still when that song starts.”
And while Gowan remains hopeful for another collaboration like their acclaimed 2006 live album with the Cleveland Contemporary Youth Orchestra, he’s most proud of the band’s ability to continue evolving without losing their core.
“There’s a lot of love and respect in this band right now,” he said. “We’re in a good place creatively, and I think it shows.”
From the soaring harmonies of The Mission to the experimental textures of Crash of the Crown, Styx’s recent output has marked a creative renaissance. Circling From Above continues that upward arc, both musically and thematically. It’s an album about cycles—of life, progress, and the human condition—and serves as a powerful reminder that some dreams, like satellites, never truly fade. They just find new orbits.
Circling From Above is available now on CD and vinyl at StyxWorld.com. The album hits streaming platforms on July 18. Styx is performing with The Kevin Cronin Band and Don Felder at Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on July 15. You can purchase tickets here.
Share your Bridgeport experience with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here for the latest news in Bridgeport
Click here for the upcoming events in Bridgeport
Click here for the latest news in Fairfield County
Click here for the upcoming events in Fairfield County
Click here for Bridgeport Merch
#thebridgeportlife • 203 Bridgeport • Bridgeport Coordinates • I Clover Bridgeport • Just a kid from Bridgeport
Click here for Black Rock Merch
#theblackrocklife • 203 Black Rock • I Clover Black Rock • I’d rather be in Black Rock • I Really Realy Miss Black Rock• Just a kid from Black Rock
Don’t miss
• YES to perform ‘Fragile’ album in full at Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford
• Foreigner to reunite with original singer Lou Gramm for Dec. 9 Show at Toyota Oakdale Theatre
• Heart to perform at Toyota Oakdale Theatre on Dec. 12
••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••
Patriotic shirts for every Connecticut town
From the quiet corners of Litchfield County to the shoreline streets of New London, we’re bringing hometown pride and American spirit together. Our patriotic shirts are custom-designed for every town in Connecticut—so you can celebrate where you’re from and the red, white, and blue. Perfect for parades, backyard BBQs, or just repping your roots with pride.
Because in Connecticut, every town has a story—and every story deserves stars and stripes.
As of 6/15 – Shirts will be finished by the end of the week – mugs and tote bags to follow.
Fairfield County
Bridgeport • Stamford • Norwalk • Danbury • Greenwich • Fairfield • Stratford • Shelton • Trumbull • Newtown • Westport • Ridgefield • Darien • New Canaan • Bethel • Monroe • Wilton • Brookfield • New Fairfield • Weston • Redding • Easton • Sherman
New Haven County
New Haven • Waterbury • Meriden • Hamden • West Haven • East Haven • Milford • Naugatuck • Cheshire • Branford • North Haven • Guilford • Southbury • Ansonia • Madison • Derby • Prospect • Middlebury • Beacon Falls • Bethany • Wallingford • Seymour • Wolcott • Orange • Oxford • Woodbridge
Hartford County
Hartford • West Hartford • East Hartford • New Britain • Bristol • Manchester • Southington • Enfield • Glastonbury • Newington • Windsor • South Windsor • Wethersfield • Farmington • Simsbury • Bloomfield • Rocky Hill • Berlin • Avon • Plainville • Windsor Locks • Granby • East Windsor • Canton • Burlington • Marlborough • Hartland • East Granby • Suffield •
Litchfield County
New Milford • Torrington • Watertown • Plymouth • Winchester • Woodbury • Litchfield • New Hartford • Harwinton • Salisbury • Washington • Barkhamsted • Bethlehem • Goshen • North Canaan • Sharon • Roxbury • Morris • Bridgewater • Norfolk • Cornwall • Colebrook • Warren • Canaan • Kent
Middlesex County
Middletown • Old Saybrook • Portland • East Haddam • Haddam • Durham • Westbrook • Essex • Killingworth • Deep River • Middlefield • Chester • East Hampton • Cromwell • Clinton
New London County
Norwich • Groton • New London • Waterford • East Lyme • Stonington • Montville • Griswold • Old Lyme • Lebanon • North Stonington • Preston • Salem • Lisbon • Sprague • Voluntown • Bozrah • Lyme • Franklin • Mystic • Colchester • Ledyard
Tolland County
Vernon • Mansfield • Ellington • Coventry • Stafford • Somers • Hebron • Willington • Columbia • Bolton • Andover • Tolland • Union
Windham County
Windham • Killingly • Thompson • Putnam • Brooklyn • Woodstock • Canterbury • Pomfret • Ashford • Sterling • Chaplin • Hampton • Eastford • Scotland
Don’t miss our popular collections 203 • Two o’ Three • 860 • Eight Six O’ • I Really Really Miss Connecticut • Just a kid from Connecticut • Love & Live • Connecticut Fall
Save 10% on all products with promo code Post10. Always free shipping
Farmington Polo Club
The Farmington Polo Club is set to offer a vibrant lineup of events this June, blending competitive polo with festive themes and family-friendly activities.
July 19, 2025 – Mashomack vs Farmington
July 26, 2025 – Argentina vs USA
Click here to purchase tickets
Gourmet Cookies
Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!
Movie showtimes at Prospector Theater
Looking to see a movie. Click here for showtimes
Save on CBD!
My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.
Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.
Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops • Pet Treats
Let’s create with Victory Designs
Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.
Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!
Connecticut with us!
Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.
Stay connected with us on social media
Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community
Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page
Don’t miss our reviews
Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews
Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events
Latest news by region
Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • Middlesex County • New Haven County • New London County• Tolland County • Windham County
Latest sports news by team
Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns •
2025 schedules
Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns • Farmington Polo Club
Events by region
Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • New Haven County • New London County • Middlesex County • Tolland County • Windham County
Events by Interest
Art • Sports • Family Friendly • History • Concerts • Farmers’ Markets
Events by the month
July 2025 • August 2025 • September 2025 • October 2025 • November 2025 • December 2025
Events by venue
College Street Music Hall • Space Ballroom • Westville Music Bowl • District Music Hall • Fairfield Theatre Company • Hartford Stage • The Bushnell • Goodspeed Opera House • Mohegan Sun • Foxwoods • New York Comedy Club Stamford • Westport Country Playhouse • Goodspeed Opera House
