Toto XIV EPK (Official / New Studio Album / 2015)
Preorder the
album on
Amazon:
CD:
http://smarturl.it/AMZN_Toto_CD
LP: http://smarturl.it/AMZN_Toto_LP
CD/DVD: http://smarturl.it/AMZN_Toto_DLX
Frontiers Music Srl has announced a March 20 release date for
TOTO XIV in
Europe, with
The UK and
Oceania on 3/23, and
North America on March 24. The album will hit retail globally, with specific dates for territories in
Asia,
South America and others to follow. Configurations include CD, with a deluxe edition available featuring a "making of" documentary on
DVD, expanded booklet that includes an in depth story and interview about the new album alongside exclusive pictures in ecol-book packaging. Additionally
Toto XIV will be available as a 2LP vinyl set, and a
Super Deluxe limited edition which includes the
Deluxe CD/DVD edition, 2LP vinyl, an exclusive poster, t-shirt (large size only), and lithograph. The album will be available via all digital retailers. A pre-order has gone live via Amazon for the LP (http://geni.us/TotoXIVLPAmz), CD (http://geni.us/TotoXIVRegAmz) and
Deluxe Edition (http://geni.us/TotoXIVDlxAmz).
The new album is a realized vision three plus decades in the making exhibiting world-class musicianship, masterful arrangements, topical lyrical commentary, and melodies that the collective genius of
Lukather, Paich,
Porcaro,
Williams and their assembled band-mates bring to life. TOTO XIV is the band’s first album of new material since
2006’s
Falling In Between. However, the band personally considers the new album to be the true follow-up to TOTO IV, which made the band global superstars.
Keyboardist
Steve Porcaro reveals, "This is opposite of going through the motions.
We are treating this like it is
Toto V, our follow-up to TOTO IV. We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can. Entertain people which is what we were put on this
Earth for." Keyboardist
David Paich reflects, "I think of TOTO as a unit and a band that carries a responsibility when it goes out there in to the public consciousness. There is so much negativity and darkness that I think you have to be as
Quincy Jones puts it, 'beams of light that blast through the darkness'."
As they began the process of a return the studio, all of the principle long-term members brought their A-game to the table. Guitarist
Steve "Luke" Lukather offers, "When you put us in a room, and everybody brings in their pieces, the next thing you know it all fits together.
Everybody's performances are top notch. We are really bringing our best out, forcing ourselves to make personal best choices, what's best for the music. I'm really excited to hear what people think."
Singer Joseph Williams adds, "We are talking about a band where everybody is a writer, and everybody is a lead singer, and everybody is a player. All involved brought this trio to the table where it could just live on its own."
Founding bassist
David Hungate returns to the fold, about whom
Luke simply offers, "No one plays like David Hungate." Drums were performed by
Keith Carlock who's commitments to
Steely Dan prohibit him from participating in the
2015 World Tour.
Shannon Forest will be behind the kit, who was a part of the band's 2014
North American run. Luke offers, "Shannon is a world class drummer and we are honored to have him back with us."
The band will hit the ground running with an extensive
European headline arena tour with appearances at key festivals. The itinerary begins in
Glasgow on May 21, and takes Toto through the UK,
France,
Luxembourg,
Netherlands,
Denmark,
Sweden,
Norway,
Germany,
Switzerland,
Austria,
Poland,
Hungary,
Romania,
Bulgaria,
Serbia,
Italy, and
Belgium.
Ticket sales came out of the box with strength, with some appearances selling out within days of on-sale. A North American tour will follow in the summer of 2015. The band is also in the planning stages for their return to Asia later this year.
Toto also continues to raise awareness for
ALS, for their brother and friend,
Mike Porcaro, who has been diagnosed with ALS,
Lou Gehrig's Disease. The band commits energies towards fundraising for
Police and
Fire Departments of
California and the
Fallen Heroes initiative (http://www.fallenheroes.org/), and help the
United Nations in their humanitarian endeavors through music.