Multi-platinum and multi-ARIA Award-winning Australian music pioneers The Cruel Sea proudly announce their first new album in 23 years “Straight Into The Sun” arriving on March 7, 2025. Coinciding with the announce is the release of the first single and title track ‘Straight into the Sun’, listen HERE, and comes ahead of their massive run of dates with Cold Chisel throughout October and December 2024, as Special Guests on The Big 5-0 Tour.
In 1989, the debut album Down Below started The Cruel Sea’s career, introducing our ears to to a distinct sound of a band, carving its own unique sound and path in the Australian landscape.
In 1991, This Is Not The Way Home cemented The Cruel Sea as a force in the Australian Music scene, with the swagger of front man Tex and a band oozing musical prowess and skills, Tex Perkins and band were a reinforced unit, and with added relentless touring, and talent in spades, The Cruel Sea were firmly establishing themselves amongst the best. The album holds a very special place in the hearts and music collections of hundreds of thousands of fans – going on to enjoy Platinum status and 2 ARIA award nominations.
But in 1993, their third album, The Honeymoon Is Over, blew the roof off even these achievements. It achieved 3x Platinum status, spent a full year in the ARIA Top 50 chart, and was among the Top 40 best-selling albums for two consecutive years, 1993-1994. The album boasted 5x ARIA Awards from 10 nominations. These amazing stats were propelled by the singles “Seems Twice,” “Woman With Soul,” and “Black Stick.” However, it was the title track, “The Honeymoon Is Over,” that became an anthem for the time and remains The Cruel Sea’s most commercially successful recording to this day. The band followed up with the album Three Legged Dog in 1995, which reached #1 and produced an ARIA Top 30 single, “Better Get A Lawyer,” which also ranked #14 in the triple j Hottest 100.
1998’s album Over Easy followed, with Where There’s Smoke in 2001.
Since then, The Cruel Sea have only toured intermittently. Significantly they mourned the passing of guitarist/keyboardist and elemental member of the band James Cruickshank in 2015.
Fast forward to mid-2023, celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Honeymoon Is Over – marked by a commemorative vinyl release, the band reconvened for what was planned to be five shows celebrating the album. This grew to 13 shows nationally as venues sold out on announce.
It was around this this reunion of sorts the band quietly recorded a full album of new material – which is now presented as “Straight Into The Sun” – the first new song from The Cruel Sea in 23 years. Boasting the classic era lineup of Jim Elliott (Drums), Ken Gormly (Bass), Tex Perkins (Vocal), Dan Rumour (Guitar) and the addition of long-term collaborator Matt Walker (Guitar) – the full 10 track album is slated for release on March 7th, 2025, across a variety of vinyl formats, CD and streaming. Produced by the band and Roger Bergodaz, recorded at Soundpark and Union Street Studios Melbourne.
Roger remarks, “I was thrilled to be asked to help record/produce this Cruel Sea record. As a very long-time fan, to be in the same room as some of my musical heroes was a real honour. Stepping into a role formerly played by one of my other heroes, Tony Cohen, was also a very daunting prospect. I didn’t want to let them down, but my aim was to just capture and present the raw quality and unique groove this band possesses.
Jim Elliot has such a unique feel and sound on the kit, beautifully behind the beat in a sweet pocket, pair that with Ken Gormly’s deep down fat melodic bass lines, Dan Rumour’s singable guitar hooks, Matt Walker’s beautiful tone effortlessly floating on the breeze, Mick Harvey’s tasteful restraint on the keys, and finally Tex Perkins’ incredible voice, depth and tone for days, and words delivered with such power and subtlety completing the picture.”
Preceded by the title track, out October 4th – “Straight Into The Sun” is richly imbued with trademark self-deprecating, subtle dark-humour, in a track dripping in a summery-soul vibe that folds neatly into their rich 30+ year history.
It all amounts to a stunning return; all aligning with The Cruel Sea’s Special Guest spot on the Cold Chisel Tour and will play to over 200,000 people through October and November 2024.
