Audio Fidelity will be releasing an SACD (Super Audio CD) version of RUSH's Hemispheres album on August 6th.

Hemispheres is the sixth studio album by Rush. In many ways, it was the final album in a major chapter of Rush's career. The 1978 release was their last release of the '70s and their last LP that's unambiguously prog. Hemispheres was also the final album in Rush's grandiose period, which included 2112 and A Farewell To Kings. Hemispheres has a brilliant concept to it, the brain hemispheres, reason and emotion, its complicated and smart - the music here is simply incredible, not your typical rock band and totally Rush.

The album contains examples of Rush's adherence to progressive rock standards including the use of daring, multi-movement song structures, complex rhythms and time signatures, and flexible guitar solos. Hemispheres contains a single, epic song broken into chapters, one of which is the tremendous virtuoso instrumental, 'La Villa Strangiato'. This instrumental remains one of the most complicated and well composed songs that Rush has ever produced.

The musicianship is nearly flawless and awe-inspiring, as the band is playing orchestral music - only in a hard rock/metal context. Neal Peart's one-of-a-kind drumming, Alex Lifeson's blindingly sharp guitar and Geddy Lee's amazing voice, these guys play their rock like no other band.

Rush is without question one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, equally famed for both its virtuoso musicianship and provocative songwriting.

Tracklisting:

'Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres'

I. Prelude

II. Apollo (Bringer Of Wisdom)

III. Dionysus (Bringer Of Love)

IV. Armageddon (The Battle Of Heart And Mind)

V. Cygnus (Bringer Of Balance)

VI. The Sphere (A Kind Of Dream)

'Circumstances'

'The Trees'

'La Villa Strangiato (An Exercise In Self-Indulgence)'

I. Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!

II. To Sleep, Perchance To Dream...

III. Strangiato Theme

IV. A Lerxst In Wonderland

V. Monsters!

VI. The Ghost Of The Aragon

VII. Danforth And Pape

VIII. The Waltz Of The Shreves

IX. Never Turn Your Back On A Monster!

X. Monsters! (Reprise)

XI. Strangiato Theme (Reprise)

XII. A Farewell to Things

Pre-order at this location.

(Thanks: RushIsABand)