Following their recent signing to the Madfish label, legendary prog outfit Spock’s Beard have announced their highly anticipated new studio album “The Archaeoptimist”.
Set for release on November 21st, 2025, the new album sees the group at their effervescent and experimental best delivering some of their finest work from a career spanning more than 30 years.
Speaking on the news, frontman Ted Leonard shared: “The new album is largely the brainchild of Ryo and a co-writer, Michael Whiteman, with lyrical contributions from Alan and myself. While not a concept album, the title is taken from one of the tracks called ‘The Archaeoptimist’. This epic follows the story of a young girl being raised by her father in a post-cataclysmic world and her pathway from being an inspiration to a leader. Other songs vary in theme from obsession with one’s work or task to musings about the passage of time forging ahead despite obstacles.
Musically, while tipping a hat to the Spock’s legacy, the new album has an energy that arguably surpasses many or our previous releases due, in no small part, to the addition of Nick Potters on drums. He’s an amazing and well-rounded musician who has perfect pitch and a great singing voice (yes, we found a drummer that is an amazing singer… named Nick!). Between Michael and Ryo’s writing, this album also has a melodic complexity that may sound new to fans. Anyone who has heard Ryo improvise will have likely picked up on a fusion influence and that certainly shows up in the writing.
I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m very proud, excited, and honestly relieved that it turned out as good as it did. Everyone put in a ton of work but none so much as Ryo in pushing this over the line”.
Stream & download the new single “Invisible” here.
At the centre of this particular storm is Ryo Okumoto, whose fingerprints are all over the album, not just as a performer, but as a driving creative force. Teaming up with co-writer Michael Whiteman (I Am the Manic Whale) and longstanding bandmembers Alan Morse & Ted Leonard, Ryo has helped shape an album that is undeniably Spock’s Beard with a characteristic wry smile to boot.
The album was produced by Ryo Okumoto and recorded at each band member’s respective home studio. Esteemed producer Rich Mouser (Dream Theater/Weezer) takes up the mixing and mastering duties.
Formats:
• 2LP red vinyl gatefold edition
• 2LP black vinyl gatefold edition
• 2 Disc CD/DVD edition of “The Archaeoptimist”, features 5.1 & hi-res 24/48 stereo mixes and is presented as a digipack CD including an 8-page printed lyric booklet
• digipack CD, includes a 12-page printed lyric booklet
Pre-order & pre-save “The Archaeoptimist” here.
Tracklist:
1. Invisible [06:33]
2. Electric Monk [06:16]
3. Afourthoughts [07:31]
4. St. Jerome In The Wilderness [08:46]
5. The Archaeoptimist [20:57]
6. Next Step [10:58]
Over more than 30 years, Spock’s Beard have established themselves as one of modern progressive music’s most exciting and consistent acts, with live shows as renowned as their studio work and tours that draw sold-out audiences across the globe. Their albums regularly chart worldwide, with 2018’s “Noise Floor” reaching #3 on the UK Official Rock & Metal Chart and #6 on the Official Progressive Albums Chart.
Line-up:
Alan Morse – Guitars, vocals
Dave Meros – Bass, keyboards, vocals
Ryo Okumoto – Keyboards, vocals
Ted Leonard – Lead vocals, guitars, keyboards
Nick Potters – Drums, vocals
