Legendary English guitarist John Sykes (TYGERS OF PAN TANG, THIN LIZZY, WHITESNAKE, BLUE MURDER, SYKES) has released the official Parker Thibault-produced music video for a new song called “Out Alive”. The track, which was recorded at least four years ago, is expected to appear on Sykes‘s long-awaited new solo album, “Sy-Ops”.
“Out Alive” is the second song from “Sy-Ops” to be released this year. Back in January, Sykes dropped a video for “Dawning Of A Brand New Day”, also produced by Thibault, with additional footage courtesy of Natasha Gregory and James Sykes.
Last year, Sykes parted ways with Golden Robot Records without releasing a single record through the label.
Sykes‘s partnership with the Australian company was first announced in January 2019. At the time, John promised that his his first album in two decades would arrive before the end of 2019. However, things apparently went south shortly after the signing, with Sykes later accusing the label of making “little attempt to move things forward despite our best efforts and patience.”
“Sy-Ops” is expected to include such other tracks as “Believe In Yourself” and “My Guitar”.
Speaking to Reality Check TV at the January 2019 Hall Of Heavy Metal History event in Anaheim, California, Sykes stated about his absence from the rock scene: “I’m looking forward to getting out on the road and playing again. I kind of go underground and stay there for a while. I don’t know, man. Sometimes I just take off and shut it all down. But I’m getting the itch, I’ve been having the itch to get back out and play, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Asked about the musical direction of his new record, Sykes said: “It’s kind of got flavors of old and new. But I think it’ll be pleasing to a lot of people to hear it. I think it’ll touch a fair few people if they check it out. It’s a good, solid album — it’s not just a couple of tracks and a load of fillers.”
Sykes‘s band for his upcoming tour is expected to include his onetime BLUE MURDER bandmate Tony Franklin (bass) and Fred Boswell Jr. (drums), both of whom are pictured with John below.
John‘s best-known work was when he joined WHITESNAKE and co-wrote the band’s self-titled seventh studio album, released in 1987. It produced a major power ballad hit, “Is This Love”, along with the No. 1 hit “Here I Go Again”. The album was a major crossover hit, eventually selling over eight million copies in the U.S. alone.
Sykes announced his departure from THIN LIZZY in July 2009, explaining that “I feel it’s time to get back to playing my own music.”
