The project features an all-star roster of musicians
Renowned guitarist and composer Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal is back with a new instrumental album, Bumblefoot …Returns!, set for release on January 24th. Thirty years after his debut solo instrumental album, Bumblefoot revisits his roots with a 14-track masterpiece that spans genres from metal to orchestral to blues.
The album’s opening track, “Simon in Space,” serves as its first single, delivering an electrifying ride through chaos and intensity. In addition to the single, an animated music video created by Bumblefoot and animator Radek Grabinski is also available, as well as a retro-inspired video game, which is coming soon.
“From an early age, my passions were guitar and astrophysics, cosmology – the song ‘Simon in Space’ merges the two. Simon is my cat haha, that’s him featured in the artwork,” the guitarist says.
Fans will soon be able to immerse themselves in a retro-inspired video game based on the single. More details will be announced soon.
Bumblefoot …Returns! features collaborations with iconic musicians, including Brian May, Steve Vai, Guthrie Govan, Derek Sherinian, Jerry Gaskill, and others, showcasing Bumblefoot’s innovative guitar techniques, such as his signature fretless guitar and “thimble technique.”
“It’s been 30 years since releasing the debut Adventures of Bumblefoot on Shrapnel Records, and I haven’t done a fully instrumental album since,” Bumblefoot shares about the project. “Writing during the pandemic, these songs became a soundtrack to my life – from heavy fretless growls to bluesy tributes to legends like Lonnie Johnson. It’s a reflection of the moments that shaped me.”
The album will be available on vinyl, CD, and cassette, with exclusive merch bundles at his website.
1. Simon in Space
2. Planetary Lockdown
3. Moonshine Hootenanny
4. Chopin Waltz Op64 No2
5. Monstruoso featuring Steve Vai
6. Monstruoso II – Departure
7. Cintaku
8. Once in Forever featuring Brian May
9. Andalusia
10. Anveshana featuring Guthrie Govan
11. Funeral March featuring Ben Karas
12. Griggstown Crossing
13. The Thread
14. Liftoff
