Former GUNS N’ ROSES guitarist and current ART OF ANARCHY member Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal is set to release his latest instrumental album, “Bumblefoot …Returns!“, on January 24, 2025. Marking 30 years since his debut solo instrumental album, Bumblefoot embraces his roots with a diverse 14-track collection that blends metal, orchestral, and blues influences.
The album kicks off with the high-energy single “Simon In Space,” a chaotic and exhilarating opener. Accompanying the track is an animated music video, crafted in collaboration with animator Radek Grabinski. Fans can also look forward to a retro-inspired video game, set to launch soon, adding another layer to the immersive experience.
Bumblefoot commented: “From an early age, my passions were guitar and astrophysics, cosmology — the song ‘Simon In Space’ merges the two. Simon is my cat, haha; that’s him featured in the artwork”.
“Bumblefoot …Returns!“ boasts collaborations with legendary musicians such as Brian May, Steve Vai, Guthrie Govan, Derek Sherinian, Jerry Gaskill, and more. The album highlights Bumblefoot’s groundbreaking guitar artistry, including his signature fretless guitar and distinctive “thimble technique”.
Bumblefoot shared: “It’s been 30 years since releasing the debut ‘Adventures Of Bumblefoot’ on Shrapnel Records, and I haven’t done a fully instrumental album since. Writing during the pandemic, these songs became a soundtrack to my life — from heavy fretless growls to bluesy tributes to legends like Lonnie Johnson. It’s a reflection of the moments that shaped me.”
He added: “Working on WHOM GODS DESTROY’s album inspired growling heavy fretless parts like ‘Simon In Space’. Watching a blues documentary inspired ‘Moonshine Hootenanny’. Losing loved ones led to writing ‘Funeral March’. Songs become a soundtrack to our lives”.
The album is available for pre-order now on vinyl, CD, and cassette, with exclusive merch bundles at bumblefoot.com.
“Bumblefoot …Returns!” track listing:
01. Simon In Space
02. Planetary Lockdown
03. Moonshine Hootenanny
04. Chopin Waltz Op64 No2
05. Monstruoso (featuring Steve Vai)
06. Monstruoso II – Departure
07. Cintaku
08. Once in Forever (featuring Brian May)
09. Andalusia
10. Anveshana (featuring Guthrie Govan)
11. Funeral March (featuring Ben Karas)
12. Griggstown Crossing
13. The Thread
14. Liftoff
