JETHRO TULL Mastermind IAN ANDERSON Talks Recent Studio Album: “To Say Humans Were Made In The Image Of God Is Just All-Too Convenient And Easy” 

Founded by the legendary Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull has entered their seventh decade of music-making with no way to slow down. After a pause over the past couple of decades while Anderson released several albums under his own name, Tull returned as a recording entity with 2022’s “The Zealot Gene” and quickly followed up this year with the the rock-infused “Rök Flöte”. Filled with tales and descriptions of Norse gods, the lyrics are set in a poetic form unlike any other Tull album.

Ian explained the album’s title and theme in more detail: “The title of this offering went through a little change or two along the way. I started with the idea of a predominantly instrumental album for rock flute — as in rock music. When the subject material of the album presented itself, I was drawn to the term Ragnarök from Norse mythology — their version of apocalyptic end times or Biblical Armageddon. The ‘final showdown’ scenario is ubiquitous and inherent in Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, for example. Ragnarök translates as ‘destiny of the Gods’, the rök part meaning destiny, course, direction. With umlaut firmly in place, courtesy of the Germanic origins of Old Norse, Flute became Flöte in keeping with the spelling. With me so far? I just can’t miss the glorious opportunity for a good and legitimate umlaut.”

Sonic Perspectives correspondent Scott Medina chatted with Anderson about the album’s celestial themes, which quickly evolved into an exploration of religion’s shortcomings and promise. Along the way, Anderson provides more insight into the new album’s inspirations and to his current touring schedule which runs through the rest of the year. Join them for this 28 minute chat, and make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.

“RökFlöte” is available on several different formats, including two limited deluxe formats that include bonus demo material, extensive liner notes and a Blu-ray featuring Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround Sound, alternative stereo mixes by Soord, as well as a bonus track and in-depth interview with Anderson. The album will also be available digitally in the spatial audio formats Dolby Atmos & Sony 360 RA. Order it HERE.

“RökFlöte” track-listing:

 1. Voluspo
 2. Ginnungagap
 3. Allfather
 4. The Feathered Consort
 5. Hammer On Hammer
 6. Wolf Unchained
 7. The Perfect One
 8. Trickster (And The Mistletoe)
 9. Cornucopia
10. The Navigators
11. Guardian’s Watch
12. Ithavoll

“The Zealot Gene”, released in January 2022, was Jethro Tull‘s 22nd studio album and it garnered critical acclaim across the board. Reaching No. 9 in the U.K. album charts, a feat the band hadn’t reached since 1972, it also debuted at No. 4 in Germany, No. 3 in Switzerland, No. 5 in Austria, No. 8 in Finland, as well as top 10 in the U.S. album charts, Current Album charts and Rock Album charts.

With more than 30 albums to their credit and sales totaling more than 50 million, Jethro Tull are one of the most successful rock bands of all-time with a catalog that contains classics that still resonate today. Led by Anderson, Tull continue to tour throughout the world, entertaining audiences of all ages.

The band consists of:

• Ian Anderson / Concert and Alto flutes, Flute d’Amour, Irish whistle and vocals
• David Goodier / Bass
• John O’Hara / Piano, keyboards and Hammond Organ
• Scott Hammond / Drums
• Joe Parrish-James / Electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin