Progressive trio Stick Men will release its first new studio album in more than 10 years when Let’s Thrak Again arrives on September 4. The record serves as a tribute to King Crimson‘s 1995 album Thrak, with the project receiving the approval of Robert Fripp.
To introduce the album, the band has shared “Swimming In Tea”, the only track on the record featuring vocals. Markus Reuter handles lead vocals before the song shifts into one of Tony Levin‘s trademark Chapman Stick performances.
Rather than presenting a single version of the album, Stick Men has created two separate editions. Reel One was mixed by Stefano Castagna, while Reel Two was handled by Fabio Trentini. Each mix features its own sequencing and sonic character, giving listeners two different interpretations of the same material.
The band explained its approach: “‘Let’s Thrak Again’ is 60 minutes of pure, kinetic energy. We didn’t just write 12 new compositions; we designed an entirely new sonic vocabulary for them.”
The trio also discussed the decision to release two distinct versions of the album.
“Our audience listens deeply. They don’t just want to hear the notes; they want to understand the architecture of the sound. By having Stefano and Fabio approach the exact same music with completely different visions, we are handing the listener the ultimate audiophile puzzle. It’s a roll of the dice, a sonic triptych, and a tribute to the heavy, mechanical impact of the original Thrak era.”
Pre-orders for Let’s Thrak Again are available now through Bandcamp. The 26-track release will be offered on vinyl, CD and digital formats. The album artwork was created by Ritxi Ostariz.
The lineup brings together three musicians with decades of experience in progressive and rock music. Tony Levin, known for his work with Peter Gabriel, John Lennon, Pink Floyd and King Crimson, performs on his signature Chapman Stick, a 12-string tapping instrument that allows him to combine bass lines and melodic passages at the same time.
Alongside him is longtime King Crimson bandmate Pat Mastelotto, whose hybrid drum setup blends traditional percussion with electronic elements, loops and samples to create the band’s rhythmic foundation.
Rounding out the trio is composer and multi-instrumentalist Markus Reuter, who performs on his custom-built eight-string Touch Guitar. Using a similar two-handed tapping technique, Reuter moves between atmospheric textures, layered chords and lead work, helping the three musicians create a sound that reaches far beyond what is typically expected from a trio.
