On March 13, Rush’s legendary guitarist Alex Lifeson made an appearance on Loudwire Nights to discuss the highly anticipated release of Stygian Waves, the sophomore album from his band Envy of None. This album marks a significant milestone in the band’s journey, showcasing their evolution and creativity.

To hear the full conversation, check out the audio player located toward the end of this article.

“We wrapped up recording the album last September, so it has been quite a wait for us,” Lifeson shared with Chuck Armstrong while discussing the exciting release of Stygian Waves.

“We organized a listening party here in Toronto, which turned out to be an incredible experience. About 80 attendees joined us, and we played the record in [Dolby] Atmos for the first time in front of an audience. The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, and the sound quality was exceptional.”

While Lifeson openly acknowledges his personal bias, he expressed his belief that this album is not only sonically impressive but also immensely enjoyable to listen to. His enthusiasm for sharing this work with the world is palpable.

“These tracks are powerful, and the album features a remarkable variety,” he emphasized.

“It’s amusing because after completing a record, you often feel a strong attachment to it, but then suddenly, a week later, you think, ‘You know, I wouldn’t mind changing about 80% of it.’ However, with this project, I’ve listened to it repeatedly over time to ensure we were on the right path and achieving our goals. Each time I hear it, I feel truly satisfied with the outcome.”

Reflecting on His Musical Journey: Alex Lifeson Talks About Ozzy’s Final Show

In addition to discussing Stygian Waves, Lifeson reminisced about the rich history of Rush and their beginnings in Canada during the late ’60s, coinciding with the early days of Black Sabbath in England.

“Those were our formative years; we started out playing at high schools and eventually graduated to clubs and larger venues,” Lifeson recalled fondly.

“While I can’t say I was a huge fan of Black Sabbath, I did own a couple of their records and enjoyed listening to them. I have great respect for Tony [Iommi]’s guitar work … There was a fascinating parallel between our early experiences and theirs.”

As Lifeson shared these nostalgic memories, he seamlessly transitioned to discussing “Back to the Beginning,” a concert event intended to document Ozzy Osbourne‘s final performance as a solo artist, alongside the last show featuring the original lineup of Black Sabbath.

READ MORE: Billy Morrison Reflects on Friendship With Ozzy

“We were invited to participate in the event and initially accepted, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we regrettably had to withdraw,” Lifeson explained.

“It would have been a fantastic experience. We genuinely enjoy collaborating with other musicians, and it would have provided an opportunity for Geddy [Lee] and me to work together once more.”

Insights from Alex Lifeson’s Interview on Loudwire Nights

• How he humorously jamming “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town” with Barenaked Ladies to the melody of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” during a recent benefit concert: “We had a blast during rehearsals; those guys are absolutely hilarious.”
• His comfort in allowing Stygian Waves to define Envy of None at this moment: “We were all aligned in our creative direction … It felt liberating to explore my guitar expressions in this project.”
• Future plans for Envy of None: “While we were in the green room discussing future projects, we mentioned that after the release of Stygian Waves on March 28, we would commence work on our next album starting March 29.”

Catch the Full Interview in the Podcast Player Below

Alex Lifeson appeared on Loudwire Nights on Thursday, March 13; the show replays online here, and you can catch it live every weeknight at 7 PM ET or on the Loudwire app. Additionally, check your local radio station for availability and listen to interviews on demand.