Jethro Tull / The Zealot Gene and “the divisive nature of societal relationships”

Jethro Tull have shared the title track from The Zealot Gene, their first studio album of new material in over 18 years. The Zealot Gene will be released on 28 January 2022 via Inside Out Music.

“The title track offers many allusions to the radical, politically-charged world of populism in leadership,” Ian Anderson says. “As a song lyric, it sums up, for me, the divisive nature of societal relationships and the extreme views which fuel the fires of hate and prejudice, more so today perhaps, than at any time in history.

“Perhaps you think you know who I might have been thinking about here, but, in reality, there are probably right now at least five prominent, dictatorial national figures who could fit the bill.” The video is directed by Iranian film-maker Sam Chegini.

The new album began to take shape in 2017, and at an uncertain time for musicians, Ian Anderson is unconcerned with the biblical themes of the albums lyrical content. “While I have a spot of genuine fondness for the pomp and fairytale story-telling of the Holy Book,” Anderson says, “I still feel the need to question and draw, sometimes, unholy parallels from the text. The good, the bad, and the downright ugly rear their heads throughout but are punctuated with elements of love, respect, and tenderness.”

The Covid-19 pandemic thwarted the original plan to release The Zealot Gene in 2020. “It was so sudden,” Anderson says. “Amidst the concerns and warnings of the scientific community and a few more enlightened politicians, we all retreated in disbelief to our homes to wait out the storm.”

The Zealot Gene can be pre-ordered from https://jethrotullband.lnk.to/TheZealotGene

The Zealot Gene is available in the following formats:
Special Edition Digipak CD
Gatefold 2LP+CD+LP-booklet
Limited 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook
Limited Deluxe 3LP+2CD+Blu-ray Artbook

Hella Rock Festival

The Deluxe 3LP+2CD+Blu-ray Artbook comes on white vinyl and includes a 3rd LP with the rough demos. It also includes a slipmat and a numbered art print. The blu-ray includes a 5.1 surround sound mix by Jakko Jakszyk (King Crimson).

Sleeve Notes

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