Kansas returns with new album 'The Absence of Presence', also announces European 'Point of Know Return' tour
Legendary progressive rock band 'Kansas' are all set to release their new studio album called 'The Absence of Presence', the highly anticipated follow-up to 2016's 'The Prelude Implicit', on June 26.
Famous for progressive tunes like 'Song for America' as well as classic hits like 'Dust in the Wind' and 'Carry On Wayward Son', the latter of which was featured on Supernatural and is considered the unofficial theme song for the show, Kansas is returning with nine new tracks they all carry their unmistakable signature sound all the way through. Just like 'The Prelude Implicit', this album was produced by guitarist Zak Rizvi along with Kansas founding members Phil Ehart and Richard Williams.
This will be the second album featuring newer members Rizvi and singer-keyboardist Ronnie Platt, as well as the first album to feature keyboardist Tom Brislin.
Ehart believes the newer members were key to bringing Kansas' signature sound back to the foreground. He says, "This sounds like Kansas...Zak wrote the majority of The Prelude Implicit and this album, and now having Tom Brislin add a couple of his songs and his keyboard prowess really pushes the band even more toward that original sound, which is not easy to do by any means. You've got to have the material. You've got to have the singer to sing it. You've got to have lyrics that are Kansas-type lyrics. These guys get it, and the other four of us who have been here for 20, 40, 50 years, we're just sitting here grinning, going 'This is great!'"
Speaking about the upcoming album, Rizvi says, “We are really proud of the album ‘The Absence of Presence." He continues, "Making a new KANSAS album sets a very high musical standard that is expected from our fans. From rockers, to progressive epics, to ballads, there is something on this recording for everybody.” Williams adds, “It’s been a while since the band has been able to perform in Europe, where we have some very passionate fans...We are excited to take the Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour across Europe. Not only will they hear us perform that album in its entirety, along with other hits and deep cuts, but they will be the first fans to hear some of the songs from ‘The Absence of Presence’ performed live.”
In addition to the new album, Kansas will also be taking its popular 'Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour' to Europe for 13 dates in October and November. The tour will include songs from 'The Absence of Presence' in addition to their classic hits, culminating in the album 'Point of Know Return' being performed in its entirety. It further kicks off on October 18 from London from where it will go through Frankfurt, Hamgurg, Tampere, Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Berlin, Brussels, Munich, Heilbronn, and Bochum, before wrapping things up in Amsterdam.
The tour originally started in the U.S. in 2018 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 'Point of Know Return' album.
Following the album's release, Kansas will debut a track from 'The Absence of Presence' in July during the 'Juke Box Heroes 2020 Tour' when the band will be touring with Foreigner and Europe.
Tickets for Kansas 'Point of Know Return Anniversary European Tour' will go on sale this week. Ticket and VIP Package information is available at KansasBand.com. Tickets for the U.S. 'Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour', 'Juke Box Heroes 2020 Tour', and 'KANSAS Classics' dates are on sale now with ticket and VIP package information are also available at KansasBand.com.
For more information on Kansas, 'The Absence of Presence', 'The Point of Know Return Anniversary European Tour' or the 'Juke Box Heroes 2020 Tour', please visit: www.kansasband.com.