US progressive metal pioneers Transcendence are set to make a triumphant return with their first album in 22 years, “Nothing Etched in Stone – Pt. I”, scheduled for release on June 27th, 2025, via Cosmic Fire Records. Alongside the album announcement, the band has unveiled an official video for their powerful new single, “The Edge Awaits”, which is available to watch now.
The official video for “The Edge Awaits” offers a haunting visual complement to the single’s introspective lyrics and soaring melodies, inviting listeners into the emotional core of the album’s concept. Watch the video for “The Edge Awaits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxux77eFaWw&ab_channel=CosmicFireRecords
Vocalist Brian says about the new single: “‘The Edge Awaits’ might just be my favorite track on the new album. I was going through a personal tragedy of my own at the time this was recorded and you can hear the emotional sense of loss in my vocal performance”.
John Howser (keys, piano) comments: “‘The Edge Awaits’ origins come from exploring what hides in the dark corners of the mind. While there are certainly nods to Nietzsche and Lovecraft for their views on The Abyss, for me it is about embracing the primal dark we all have inside and how we channel our emotions and actions from it”.
Tracklist: 01. Discovery 02. Take Control 03. One Fear 04. Shades of Winter 05. Last Solstice 06. Infect the Nations 07. The Edge Awaits 08. Voices in the Dark 09. Lost… Dream 10. In… Time 11. Ruins… Before the Dawn 12. Open the Sky (CD bonus track)
“Nothing Etched in Stone” is an ambitious 19-song concept album, split into two parts, with Pt. I arriving on June 27th, 2025, and Pt. II slated for 2026. The album weaves a poignant narrative of an artist’s journey through passion, loss, and redemption. The story follows an artist who discovers his creative “stone” and pursues it relentlessly, drawing inspiration from “the edge” near his home. A devastating loss, linked to a global crisis orchestrated by rogue agencies, shatters his world, dimming his creativity and peace. Grappling with grief, he escapes to a foreign land, briefly reigniting his art but spiraling into addiction and obsession. Upon reflecting on his work, he foresees loneliness and returns home, questioning whether his dreams held him back while glimpsing a transcendent future.
The album marks a significant chapter for Transcendence, following their recent signing to Cosmic Fire Records, as announced earlier this year. The band’s latest single, “The Edge Awaits”, showcased their signature blend of intricate instrumentation and emotive storytelling, setting the stage for “Nothing Etched in Stone”.
Recorded, produced, and mixed by Bart Rose at Fort Worth Sound, with mastering by Derek Taylor (Eniac Requiem), “Nothing Etched in Stone” captures Transcendence’s evolution while staying true to their progressive metal roots. The album features a new vocal powerhouse, Brian Dixon (Resonance Theory, X Opus), who stepped in after the departure of original vocalist Greg Drew. Dixon was recommended by Travis Wills (Crimson Glory), who was unable to join due to prior commitments but recognized Dixon’s ability to carry the band’s vision forward.
Vocalist Brian states: “As a huge fan of the prior Transcendence releases, it really has been a fully rewarding experience to not only get to know and love the guys, but also immerse myself into the new material. Make no mistake, recording two albums worth of material was not a small or easy task, but it has been very fulfilling in so many ways. I couldn’t be more proud of the the final product and prog fans worldwide should rejoice in the fact that a capable band is still releasing the classic sounds of our favorite influences”.
Guitarist Jeff comments: “Excited to be teamed up with Cosmic Fire Records, a company that truly seems to understand the nuances of the ever changing music industry. From a guitar standpoint, there were a ton of tracks that went into the making of this album, so I’m really happy that the material will see the light of day and have the opportunity to be shared with the world”.
Bass player Kirk explains: “Recording ‘NEIS’ was a slow and methodical process. We learned a lot from Bart (producer & engineer) about how to make this album sonically the best that we could”. Kirk added: “Our past recordings had more of a raw and live feel to them. A good time capsule to represent our beginnings”.
John Howser (keys, piano) shares: “This record represents everything I’ve wanted to say as a musician. I’ve always gravitated to the album format of one cohesive story, and each song is a piece of the puzzle. Funny, but some of them really take on different”.
Derrek (drums) claims: “‘Nothing Etched in Stone’ has been a journey forged in creativity, vision and pure sonic exploration. Writing, creating the instrumental sections, recording and mixing pushed us into uncharted territory. This is the result of real collaboration, intent and raw ability. I hope our creation takes our listeners on an incredible journey of their own”. Continues Derrek: “I came in after the debut album was released. I had just 3 weeks to master the full set as we were set to open for the legendary Geoff Tate. I stayed true to the original tracks and it was a trial by fire, but it solidified my place in Transcendence”.
“Nothing Etched in Stone – Pt. I” is poised to reaffirm Transcendence’s place among prog metal’s elite, delivering a sonic journey that is as thought-provoking as it is musically intricate. Stay tuned for more updates, including tracklists, pre-order details, and news on Pt. II in 2026.
About Transcendence: Transcendence was formed in the late ‘90s in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area by Kirk Wood (Bass), Jeff Ford (Guitar), Greg Drew (Vocals), John Von Rosenberg (Drums), and John Howser (Keyboards). “The Meridian Project” was released in 2001 and quickly sprang to #1 on MP3.com for both the album and the song “Alpha Omega”. John Von Roseneberg left the group immediately after “The Meridian Project” release and was very capably replaced by Derrek Edwards. During that time they also released a three track EP titled “3 Stones” (2003). Transcendence spent the next 14 years opening for the likes of Dream Theater, Geoff Tate, and countless other national acts in their home town. Transcendence has been a cornerstone of the US progressive metal scene since their formation. Known for their intricate compositions and emotionally charged performances, the band has garnered a dedicated following over the decades. With “Nothing Etched in Stone”, Transcendence continues to push boundaries, blending technical prowess with profound storytelling.
Transcendence are: Brian Dixon – Vocals, vocal harmonies / Jeff Ford – Guitars / Kirk Wood – Bass, vocal harmonies / John Howser – Keys, piano / Derrek Edwards – Drums
