Rick Wakeman releases new video trailer for The Red Planet

(Image credit: Robin Little/Redferns - Getty)

Rick Wakeman has released a new video trailer for his upcoming album The Red Planet. The album sees a return to his progressive rock roots after having several hit piano-based albums such as Piano Portraits (2017), Piano Odyssey (2018) and Christmas Portraits (2019). You can watch the trailer, which features the track Arsis Mons, in full below.

"I am completely blown away that the first extract from The Red Planet I released on YouTube had such a fantastic reception, over 20,000 hits over one weekend," Wakeman tells Prog. "So, I have decided to release another one - I hope the fans like one as much I do."

Joining the keyboard player on the new album are English Rock Ensemble bassist Lee Pomeroy, who also featured in Yes feat. ARW, drummer Ash Soan and guitarist Dave Colquhoun.

The Red Planet will be released in June on LP and CD, with the first 1000 vinyl units pressed on 180g red double vinyl, which will be signed and numbered and presented in a ‘pop-up’ cover.

The first 2000 CDs will also be autographed and numbered and feature their own ‘pop-up’ cover.

Asked about the expectations of prog fans who are hoping to see the “prog fader turned up to 11,” Wakeman replies: “That could be a problem as it's already at 14!”

Both versions are available to pre-order.

Writer and broadcaster Jerry Ewing is the Editor of Prog Magazine which he founded for Future Publishing in 2009. He grew up in Sydney and began his writing career in London for Metal Forces magazine in 1989. He has since written for Metal Hammer, Maxim, Vox, Stuff and Bizarre magazines, among others. He created and edited Classic Rock Magazine for Dennis Publishing in 1998 and is the author of a variety of books on both music and sport, including Wonderous Stories; A Journey Through The Landscape Of Progressive Rock.