Blow That Mind

Hey there, Zoo Freaks, it's your groovy crew here at THE ZOO, cranking up the vibes with "Blow That Mind" by those cosmic rockers Atomic Rooster from their fresh album "Circle The Sun". Man, this track is like a wild ride through the stars, closing out the record with a bang that leaves you floating. We dug deep into some recent chats with the band, and guitarist Steve Bolton shared how this tune came together in a totally spontaneous jam session after hours at the studio. He said they were just chilling with a drink when the idea hit to throw in two drummers—Paul Everett and producer Phil Wilson—laying it down live with no click track, inspired by the Allman Brothers' dual drum magic. It's got that raw, experimental edge, and Paul calls it "showtime" every time they play it live because nailing that feel without overplaying is a real trip.

Zooming back to the album's birth, Steve Bolton explained in an interview that "Circle The Sun" is the first new Atomic Rooster release in over 40 years, recorded straight to tape in a forest studio in Lincolnshire, all live in one room for that authentic, Jerry Lee Lewis-style energy. No heavy overdubs, just pure, gothic vibes with a B-movie flair, shaking off the doom of their older stuff. Tracks like "Rebel Devil" popped out during a camping trip where Steve strummed it on a little parlor guitar by the fire, tweaking the lyrics later to fit the band's spirit. And "Pillow" got its start with a drum machine because bassist Shugg Millidge was running late, but they ended up layering two drummers on it too, turning it into this after-dark experiment that's tough to replicate on stage with all its electronic whispers.

Far out, right? Steve mentioned how the whole project flowed organically, with quick rehearsals and short studio bursts, capturing that Edgar Allan Poe darkness but injecting life and positivity. They even tested "No More" at a festival in Czechia, where it sparked a circle pit among the crowd—talk about blending proto-metal with crowd chaos! Paul Everett jumped in on the chat, noting how the band's sets now mix 60% new material with classics, keeping things fresh and alive. On social media, fans are buzzing; one post from their Instagram highlighted a live clip from Brutal Assault 2025, praising Atomic Rooster for bridging psych-rock and heavy metal with killer energy. Another fan group on Facebook shared stories of rediscovering the band's catalog, tying the new tunes back to their 70s roots like "Death Walks Behind You".

Speaking of roots, let's groove into how Atomic Rooster got their start, pulling from the band's bio vibes. It all kicked off in the summer of 1969 when organist Vincent Crane and drummer Carl Palmer split from The Crazy World of Arthur Brown during a wild US tour. Feeling the chaos, they headed back to England, dreaming up a new sound that fused heavy rock with progressive twists. They nabbed bassist and vocalist Nick Graham to round out the trio, and bam—the name Atomic Rooster stuck, inspired partly by the US band Rhinoceros and a nod to their explosive energy. Their debut gig was headlining at London's Lyceum alongside Deep Purple, setting the stage for a whirlwind of albums that defined early prog rock.

Vincent Crane was the heart, a classically trained wizard on the Hammond who brought manic intensity from his Trinity College days, blending jazz, blues, and rock into something mind-bending. Carl Palmer, fresh from atomic beats, later blasted off to Emerson, Lake & Palmer fame, but in those early days, they struck a deal with B&C Records and cut their self-titled debut in December 1969. Hits like "Breakthrough" emerged from jam sessions, capturing that raw, honest spirit—young cats playing what they believed in, no holds barred. Over the years, lineups shifted with talents like guitarist John Cann and vocalist Pete French joining the flock, pushing albums like "In Hearing Of" and "Made In England" into heavier, soulful territories.

The band's journey wasn't all smooth sailing; Vincent battled personal storms, but his vision kept the rooster crowing through the 70s and into a 1980 revival. Fast forward to 2016, and Steve Bolton— who rocked with them back in '72—got the green light from Vincent's wife Jeannie to revive the name, honoring the legacy while crafting new grooves. Now with Adrian Gautrey on keys and vocals, Paul on drums, and Shugg on bass, they're touring Europe, mixing old fire with fresh sparks. Steve recalled in one quote how joining in the 70s felt like stepping into a family, touring with The Who and keeping the music alive.

Dig this, Zoo Freaks—if you're feeling the pull, check out Atomic Rooster's official website for the full scoop, where you'll find nods to "Circle The Sun" and tracks like "Blow That Mind" right on the discography page. Swing by their official Facebook for updates and live clips, or hit up Instagram for behind-the-scenes vibes from recent gigs. No official X account popping up, but the energy's there on these platforms. For fan love, join the active ATOMIC ROOSTER group on Facebook, where folks share rare sessions and stories, or the Atomic Rooster discussion group diving into their prog legacy with album chats that reference the new release.

And don't forget to tune into THE ZOO for more spins that blow your mind, keeping the peace and love flowing through the airwaves. Atomic Rooster's story is a testament to resilience, from those psychedelic beginnings to this rebirth—pure cosmic harmony, man.