King Crimson has returned to the studio to create their first new album in more than two decades. The progressive rock band, known for their innovative sound, is working on this project with members including Jakko Jakszyk, Robert Fripp, Mel Collins, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison, and Jeremy Stacey. This marks the band’s first studio effort since the release of The Power to Believe in 2003.
Fans of the band may find this news surprising, as many believed King Crimson’s journey had concluded following their last tour in 2021. The group has faced significant losses, including the passing of co-founder Ian McDonald in February 2022 and songwriter and lyricist Peter Sinfield in December 2024. Additionally, former percussionist Jamie Muir passed away earlier this year.
During an interview with Goldmine Magazine, Jakszyk shared insights about the recording process. “It was an amazing thing to have done, and in a way, part of it’s still happening,” he stated. He confirmed that the band has been gradually piecing together the album, with management recently encouraging them to move forward. Jakszyk noted, “I’ve been recording that with a view to it coming out in some format at some point. But who knows when?”
The upcoming project is expected to include studio recordings of live performances, along with various additional tracks. Jakszyk also mentioned another release, an album he created with Fripp prior to joining King Crimson, titled The Scarcity Of Miracles. He indicated that a new version of this album will soon be available, featuring extensive additional content.
Fripp, the band’s longest-serving member, has previously stated that King Crimson will cease to exist when he decides to retire. At 79 years old, Fripp is the only musician to have been part of every lineup since the band was formed in the late 1960s. During a media day in 2019, he was asked if King Crimson could continue without him, to which he replied succinctly, “No.” When pressed about the future of the band upon his retirement, he confirmed, “Yes.”
In 2022, Levin expressed skepticism about a reunion, suggesting to Metrograph that Fripp felt the band was finished. “The sense I got from Robert [Fripp] was that it’s over. Maybe King Crimson will speak to him in the future in some way, and will revive its head with who-knows-what line-up?” he remarked.
As anticipation builds for this new album, fans remain hopeful that King Crimson will continue to innovate and inspire, despite the challenges they have faced in recent years. The band’s dedication to their craft and rich legacy suggests that this upcoming release will be significant, both in its content and its impact on the progressive rock landscape.
