Rick Wakeman - Return To The Red Planet

Experience the epic return to Mars with Rick Wakeman's 'Return To The Red Planet,' a new progressive rock suite inspired by both past explorations and the latest discoveries on the Red Planet. This ambitious recording fuses science, imagination, and musical virtuosity, building upon the acclaimed 2020 album 'The Red Planet'.

At a time when space exploration captures the world's imagination, 'Return To The Red Planet' feels both timely and visionary, rekindling the cosmic spirit that defined progressive rock's golden age. The album delves into the planet's ancient lakes, vast canyon systems, shifting dust storms, and geological epochs, drawing directly from recent research and imagery. Rick Wakeman immersed himself in planetary data and mission reports before composing a single note, stating, "Once I started looking at the new data & photographs, I realised there was an entirely new album waiting to be written."

Recorded between August 2025 and January 2026, this project marks a return to full band recording, with musicians collaborating at Decoy Studios to capture the spontaneity and energy essential to progressive rock. The album features performances by Lee Pomeroy, Dave Colquhoun, Adam Falkner, and Mollie Marriott.

This CD edition provides a deep dive into the musical journey inspired by Mars, offering a compelling listening experience for fans of progressive rock and space exploration.

Key Features:

• A new progressive rock suite by Rick Wakeman.
• Inspired by scientific discoveries and exploration of Mars.
• Features contributions from Lee Pomeroy, Dave Colquhoun, Adam Falkner, and Mollie Marriott.
• Recorded with a full band for enhanced energy and spontaneity.

Specifications:

• Artist: Rick Wakeman
• Album: Return To The Red Planet
• Format: CD
• Release Date: 2026-10-16
• Country of Origin: Austria
• Number of Discs: 1

Immerse yourself in the sounds and stories of Mars with this monumental release from a progressive rock legend.