Australian progressive instrumental powerhouse I Built The Sky has released the highly anticipated new album Promise Me You’ll Thrive, a vibrant 10-track progressive metal release designed to inspire, motivate, and empower listeners.
The rollout began February 20, with singles The Start Of Something Beautiful and Snapshots From A Dream released ahead of the full album, which is now available as of May 29.
The seed for Promise Me You’ll Thrive was planted in 2022, when I Built The Sky’s creative force Rohan “Ro” Stevenson retreated to the coastal location of Manns Beach in Victoria for a dedicated month of writing. Immersed in solitude and creativity, the initial spark for the record began to take shape.
Fast forward to 2024, Stevenson locked in recording time at the renowned Airlock Studios in Brisbane and committed to a firm deadline to complete the album. Several tracks were still being finalised right up until the week before recording sessions began, with Stevenson and drummer David Parkes pulling everything together under pressure.
“It was a bold move,” says Ro. “The pressure really pushed me and ultimately helped me to deliver at my highest level.”
These recording sessions were overseen by legendary Australian producer Forrester Savell, known for his work with Karnivool’s In Verses as well as releases from Sunk Loto, Tesseract, Twelve Foot Ninja, and projects featuring artists such as Corey Taylor and Slash. Savell handled drum recording, mixing, and mastering, shaping the album’s clarity and impact.
AN ELITE LINEUP
David Parkes, known for his work with Periphery, The Amity Affliction, and Alpha Wolf, delivers intricate and dynamic drum performances throughout the album.
Toby Peterson-Stewart (The Omnific) brings melodic depth and technical precision on bass, with his work reaching audiences worldwide.
Rohan Sharma (RO1) contributes synths, keys, and textural production, with credits including collaborations alongside Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater).
Jake Willson contributes expansive guitar and string arrangements, adding a cinematic layer to the record.
THE VISION: TO THRIVE
Sonically, Promise Me You’ll Thrive balances precision with cinematic uplift. Massive riffs collide with soaring melodic themes, with technical passages building into anthemic crescendos. Savell’s production ensures clarity without losing impact, resulting in an instrumental record that communicates emotion and narrative without lyrics.
ALBUM ART BY PAT FOX
The album artwork was created by internationally renowned designer Pat Fox (Northlane, The Amity Affliction, Tash Sultana, Elton John), continuing a long-standing creative partnership that visually reflects the album’s themes of resilience.
Promise Me You’ll Thrive is available now on limited edition vinyl, CD, and digital formats, along with tabs, backing tracks, signed items, and exclusive fan experiences.
Orders are available via Bandcamp and ibuiltthesky.com.
BEYOND FEBRUARY: WORLDWIDE LIVE EXPANSION
Following the release, I Built The Sky plans to expand live performances globally, bringing its immersive instrumental show to new international audiences.
