After a 14 year wait Styx returned in grand fashion with a brand-new studio album called The Mission. Not only did the band reaffirm its status as rock n’ roll powerhouse, but as a vibrant recording unit. The Mission is not simply a play it safe commercially orientated record, but a triumphant return to the concept album format that had served them well in their hey day. The Mission is a 14-track concept album that tells the story of the trials, tribulations, and ultimate triumph of the first manned mission to Mars in the year 2033.

Needless to say, Styx’s 16 studio album surpassed all my expectations. The Mission was an apologetic throwback to the band's Progressive Rock roots. The album feels instantly timeless and ranks up there with the bands’ best. Any one of the tracks off this record could easily be placed into your Styx playlist and I assure you that most fans wouldn’t even know it’s a brand-new song.

That the band released one of their most epic and ambitious records at this stage of their career is simply inspiring. We all hoped that Styx could deliver a killer album , but The Mission was was better than it had any right to be.