[tweetmeme]The Church will release what it’s billing as its 25th studio album next month, a collection of new material that’s been christened Further/Deeper and which marks the long-running Australian rockers’ first record without guitarist Marty Willson-Piper, who was “not available” and has been replaced by Powderfinger guitarist Ian Haug.
The album is due out on CD and vinyl, and digitally, on Oct. 17 in Australia and New Zealand, with release dates in the rest of the world to be announced later, according to the band’s website.
Fans who pre-order the CD or digital editions will get instant downloads of the song “Pride Before a Fall” — which can also be streamed right now via Soundcloud. Those pre-orders will also receive the bonus track “The Girl is Buoyant” on Oct. 17.
The vinyl edition is a 2LP set that will include three bonus tracks, and a download card for the full record.
Frontman Steve Kilbey announced last November that The Church would proceed without Willson-Piper, first suggesting the guitarist couldn’t make the sessions for the new album, then implying he was out for good. (“I love the guy. His musicianship is undeniably good. But it’s over now. The Church will have to move on without him or have no Church at all.”)
Since then, Haug has been recording with The Church, although the group stressed last year that he was a “guest band member.”
While Willson-Piper was not an original member, he joined the band prior to its debut album. The Church previously recorded an album without Willson-Piper, but released that record — 1997′s Distance-Crunching Honchos with Echo Units — under the band name The Refo:mation.
The Church will support its first new album in five years by performing it in its entirety on tour; four Australian dates have been announced so far (see below).
The Church tour dates:
Oct. 24: Anu Bar, Canberra, Australia
Oct. 25: Oxford Art Factory, Sydney, Australia
Oct. 31: Ormond Hall, Melbourne, Australia
Nov. 1: The Old Museum, Brisbane, Australia
