The return of the lords of Australian Alt/Prog Rock, The Butterfly Effect, has been well embraced, and now, not only have they released a brand new epic single in ‘Visiting Hours’, but also finally announcing a brand new album, ‘IV’ (due to be released on September 2).

The highly-anticipated new album, ‘IV’ is the first full length release from The Butterfly Effect since 2008’s ‘The Final Conversation of Kings’.

‘Visiting Hours’ is haunting and deep, ironically starting with delay-licked guitar from Kurt Goedhart, and vocalist Clint Boge’s unmistakable delivery, the two coming together mirroring the chance reunion between the two that sparked life back in to The Butterfly Effect. The build and combination of drummer Ben Hall and bassist Glenn Esmond at 2:07 is a solid prog groove, that is both large yet intricate. ‘Visiting Hours’ is anthemic, and slightly bombastic, in only the band knows how to deliver, particularly with the slightly dirty version of the riff towards the end. It delivers the big moments in the way TBE fans crave for, and is the pace-changer compared to previous harder singles, ‘Nil By Mouth’ and ‘So Tired’, giving nods to ‘Imago’-era material.

An instant and unmistakable The Butterfly Effect opus, Visiting Hours holds a special place for the band while lyrically traversing life and the human condition, as Clint explains, “It feels amazing as always to be releasing new music and I really think this song is one of our best. To me it is about our eternal search for meaning and worth. It's about the human condition and an existential crisis that faces us all, but at the same time as asking questions it has an undertone of hope and I hope that resonates with everyone that listens to it.” Echoing Clint’s sentiments, bass player Glenn shares, “This is probably my favourite of the new songs. I’ve loved this tune ever since we first demoed it back in 2009. I’m so excited that everyone’s going to finally get a chance to hear it. All of us in the band have acutely felt the passing of time, and I think Clint’s words reflect this. Our time here, as people and as artists, is very fleeting. Life is delicately impermanent and we’re never guaranteed a second chance.”

To coincide with the single, and album, release, The Butterfly Effect are heading out on their first full national tour since 2019, with the band promising shows loaded with old, and new, favourite tunes, plus they’re bringing local heavies Thornhill, and Caligula’s Horse along for the ride.

Kicking off in Cairns on September 30, the band will make their way down the East Coast, in to Hobart, then back in to Melbourne, before heading through Adelaide and ending at Fremantle.

A band significantly well-versed in writing, recording and life on the road, The Butterfly Effect remain one of the all-time Australian greats of their generation, from their critically-acclaimed previous releases to their voracious live shows, both at home and abroad. And while the upcoming new album may be arriving at a very different stage of life, both for the band personally and their legion of lifelong fans, IV is a textbook example of expecting the unexpected, offering a chance for a collection of songs to finally leap into the world alongside freshly written material, as Clint shares, “I am so happy we got here to this point in time. Some of these songs were written straight after Final Conversation of Kings and would have been on the next album had we stayed together. So for these songs to see the light of day and for us to be able to present them to all who wish to listen is a huge privilege and a moment I won't forget.”

Fans can look forward to a healthy mix of new Butters tunes alongside plenty of fan favourites when The Butterfly Effect take to stages to celebrate IV later this year, and the band themselves couldn’t be more excited to make their way around Australia armed with their brand new album. Of the upcoming shows, Clint says, “I'm excited about all the shows from the smaller stages in the north where it's up close and super personal to the bigger stages and bigger rooms down south, it's going to be great getting back out there”. And while fans are already ecstatic about the impending tour, with the original Melbourne date already sold out and a second one jumping in for good measure, the band can’t wait to hit the road, as Glenn concludes, “I’m most excited about playing fantastic new songs. The familiar faces of fans that have been supporting us for so long. The camaraderie with the crew and the other guys in the band. Life can be pretty busy, and the opportunities to socialise and hang out seem to get fewer as we get older. Beers, shit talk, fried food from the servo, I am going to enjoy every moment”.

Tickets for The Butterfly Effect’s upcoming national tour are on sale now from www.thebutterflyeffectband.com.au.

While ‘IV’ is set for release on September 2, you can stream the new single, ‘Visiting Hours’ right now via all streaming platforms.