We are pleased to present an exciting announcement from Ran Ballard and his legendary band START. After a longer-than-expected silence, START is back to mark the 50th anniversary since the band’s inception. To celebrate this milestone, Ran Ballard has re-imagined and recorded five previously unreleased songs originally written in 1975.
Remaining faithful to the authentic sound of the era, these tracks were recorded using the same instruments available at the time, with some arrangements and lyrics thoughtfully updated to reflect contemporary issues. Among these, the song “AZURE INFINITY” stands out as an exact replica of its original 1975 performance, sure to transport Prog Rock fans back to a time of virtuosic musicianship, complex arrangements, and thought-provoking lyrics.
The new album, “REPRISE,” will be officially released on July 11, 2025, across all major platforms.
Purchase and Stream here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/startrocks/reprise
About the album:
- Written, performed, and produced by Ran Ballard
- All songs penned in 1975 and re-imagined and recorded in 2025
- Themes explore humanity’s greed, arrogance, and the thin line between apocalypse and realization
- A reflection on humility and the impact of our actions as mortals
— Background —
Ran Ballard’s journey in Progressive Rock began in 1975 as the keyboardist and composer for Axcraft, a band signed to Capitol Records. Due to internal conflicts over contracts, Ran departed during the recording of their first album, which was later released by Akarma Records to critical acclaim.
In the same year, Ran conceived the idea for START, a three-piece band with a single leader. Though the concept took nearly a decade to materialize, START released their self-titled debut album in 1983 through Ran’s own label, GO NOW. Despite the independent release, the band struggled to secure a major label deal and disbanded in 1986.
The band reformed in 2019 to re-release their original album, now retitled “33 1/3 Too Soon,” with two additional tracks. Since then, they have released two further albums, “20/20” and “Anti-Social Media-Ocrity,” available on all streaming platforms.
The new album “REPRISE” promises to be a true delight for Progressive Rock aficionados, combining the classic START sound with a fresh, modern touch.