"Crash of the Crown" is Styx's 17th studio album released through Alpha Dog 2T/UMe on June 18, 2021. It's the band's first studio album since 2017's "The Mission." The album was recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee and produced by Will Evankovich, a newcomer to the band but a longtime collaborator.
The 15-track album was created pre-pandemic and the songs are a testament to the six members' bond with their collective love of music-making. "Crash of the Crown" is a symbol for the times, addressing the challenges and uncertainty we all collectively face. The title song 'Crash of the Crown' talks about the cycle of history and how events repeat themselves.
In this album, three members of the band, Tommy Shaw, James "J.Y." Young, and Lawrence Gowan, have contributed significantly with their shared songwriting and singing roles. This is also the first time that Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, and Lawrence Gowan all take lead vocal spots on a full-length Styx studio album.
"Crash of The Crown" also includes 'Our Wonderful Lives,' their tribute to frontline workers and 'To Those' which speaks directly to the divisive nature of our times. The album was announced with lead single 'Crash of the Crown', which premiered ahead of the album's release.
