Congratulations to our winners of “The Mission,” the new CD from Styx.

Chester Kedron of Marilla, Gerard Moskal of Hamburg, Deborah Schneider of Cheektowaga, Doug Dewysocki of Lewiston, Tammy Slater of Depew, Bill Lubecki of Buffalo, John Wlodyka of Orchard Park, Edward Gurbacki of Cheektowaga, Ken Hill Jr. of Gasport and Dave Donner of East Aurora.

“We can do this.”

This was the mantra undertaken by STYX as the band spent almost two years on and off behind closed doors working on the music that ultimately became known as The Mission, its sonically sweet 16th studio album and most ambitious, most challenging, and most rewarding release to date. And now, right here at the literal stroke of midnight on June 16, 2017, The Mission (Alpha Dog 2T/UMe) has officially lifted off and is available for listening via the format of your choice.

“The planets truly aligned for The Mission, and I couldn’t be prouder,” says STYX vocalist/guitarist Tommy Shaw, who co-wrote the album’s storyline with longtime collaborator Will Evankovich (Shaw Blades, The Guess Who). Continues Shaw, “It’s our boldest, most emblematic album since Pieces of Eight.” Adds STYX co-founding guitarist/vocalist James “JY” Young, “This album is an incredible artistic expression that resonates with the best parts of our past, but is intended for modern-day consumption. I’m very excited about it.”

Indeed, The Mission is an aurally adventurous 43-minute thrill ride that chronicles the trials, tribulations, and ultimate triumphs of the first manned mission to Mars in the year 2033. From the hopeful drive of the lead single “Gone Gone Gone” to the pivotal harmonic convergence of “Radio Silence” to the stargazing machinations of “Locomotive” to the rough-riding blaze of glory that permeates the hard-charging “Red Storm” to the elegiac optimism of the closing track “Mission to Mars,” The Mission succeeds in delivering the greater good from a band that continues to fire on all cylinders, 45 years after signing its first recording contract.