The Church Release new Single ‘Realm Of Minor Angels’ Off Deluxe Edition of The Hypnogogue, On Tour This Fall!

Few bands enter their fifth decade of making music with all the fierce creative energy of their early years. Even fewer bands are like The Church. With a Fall Tour kicking off on September 28th in Seattle, WA and circling the States and hitting SoCal, New Mexico, Georgia, Florida, and Illinois in support if their critically-hailed 26th album The Hypnogogue, these psych-guitar masters will be releasing a Deluxe Edition for this album on September 22, 2023 via Communicating Vessels.  In anticipation for both the expanded version and the tour, The Church are releasing the next single “Realm of Minor Angels,” which can be heard here. As one of the additional tracks added to the Deluxe Edition, the song falls expertly within the band’s forward-facing oeuvre.

“‘Realm of Minor Angels’ is without doubt one of my favorite singles The Church has ever released,” says bassist/vocalist/founder Steve Kilbey about the shimmery track.  “From the moment [guitarist] Jeffrey Cain started playing the opening riff, I was hooked. The singing and lyrics are my own subtle homage to the torch songs of the ‘60s and check out Ian Haug’s mandolin lines and Ashley Naylor’s slide work!”

The first thematic and narrative album in their career, The Hypnogogue (released February 24, 2023 via Communicating Vessels), found the band with arguably some of the best reviews in their 40-year history. A.V. Club lauded, “There’s a warm intimacy to this trippy, low-key affair that invites you to trance out into contemplative bliss. Elements of the goth, new wave, and space rock worlds that intermingled when they started still coalesce here… The Hypnogogue works equally well as retro and timeless music.” BrooklynVegan adds, “Forty some years into their existence, these Aussie psych legends are making some of the most vital music of their careers.” Under the Radar assures, “The Hypnogogue reaffirms why this band have been held in high esteem for so long.”

Photo credit: Hugh Stewart

Starting in 1980, The Church continued expanding their highly cinematic and atmospheric blend of indie rock, shimmering post-punk, icy dreampop and psychedelic post-rock without retreading their steps.  Beginning with classic early albums Of Skins and Heart, The Blurred Crusade, and Heyday, it was their 1988 album Starfish that broke into the mainstream and gave The Church the international hit “Under the Milky Way.” The hit single has been regarded as one of the most influential and recognizable Australian rock anthems of all time.

The renowned five-piece line-up is made up of bassist, vocalist and founder Steve Kilbey along with long- time collaborator, drummer and producer Tim Powles, who’s remained a staple across 17 albums since 1994. Joining them is guitarist Ian Haug, who has been strumming with the band since 2013 and formerly of Australian rock icons Powderfinger. Touring multi-instrumentalist talent Jeffrey Cain is now a full-time member since the departure of Peter Koppes in early 2020. Rounding out the members is the newly recruited Ashley Naylor, one of Australia’s finest guitarists and long-time member of Paul Kelly’s touring band. Entering their fourth decade as a band, The Church continue to remain a treasured creative force.

While music fans and critics revere their studio catalog, their live shows are something to behold. Rolling Stone raves, “In full flight, Kilbey plays the bass with a power and intent once reserved for ascending Lancaster bomber pilots in WWII.” KCRW hosted a live session of the band, chiming, “The band’s unmistakable blend of lush atmospherics and diamond-edged rock ’n’ roll remains as intoxicating as ever.” The Big Takeover applauds the seamless flow of their sets as “a selection of captivating new songs honoring the band’s beloved sound while carrying it forward.”

For The Church tour information please visit the bands website HERE.

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