Skunk Anansie Unveils New Album ‘The Painful Truth’ Amid Bassist Cass’s Health Struggles

Skunk Anansie is back with their new album ‘The Painful Truth’, announced alongside bassist Cass's stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

New Album Announcement

The British rock band, Skunk Anansie, has revealed exciting news about their upcoming album, ‘The Painful Truth’. This will be their seventh studio album and marks a significant return after nine years since their last release. Scheduled to drop on May 23 via FLG, the album will also include their latest single, ‘An Artist Is An Artist’.

Album Description and Themes

In a fresh description of the new material, the band characterized it as “mesmerising, provocative, powerful, and emotional.” It showcases Skunk Anansie at the peak of their creativity while reflecting on their extensive career.

Vocalist Skin shared her thoughts, stating:

“I don’t care that we were big in the ’90s. Creatively it’s irrelevant because in my rock bible the first commandment states, ‘If thy rest on them laurels thy shall wither up and die artistically, musically, mentally. And then financially.’”

Skin also indicated that the album was born during a pivotal time for the group, a period where they were contemplating their future as a band.

The Painful Truth

Skin elaborated on the pressure of creating something original:

“If we didn’t do something fresh and forward-thinking, we couldn’t really be a band anymore. We’d just be doing Skunk karaoke.”

She emphasized the importance of making a great record, admitting, “It’s been a long time since we have made a great album. And that is the painful truth.”

You can pre-order ‘The Painful Truth’ here, and also check out the new single ‘Cheers’ below.

Bassist Cass’s Health Revelation

In a poignant turn of events, news of the album release coincides with bassist Cass revealing his battle with stage 4 cancer. The 64-year-old musician disclosed that he has been undergoing intensive chemotherapy while working on this album. During a Q&A session at Dolby Atmos in London, Cass expressed that the songs on the album draw from his personal experiences over the past few years:

“That’s what all the songs are about, that connects everything. It’s the connection with these guys. What we’re going through, and everything, it’s quite emotional, it’s the painful truth.”

Cass shared that he kept his diagnosis a secret from the other band members during the recording.

“I thought my cards had been marked, actually, and so I was just, I was happy with having had a good life, and I was quite content,” he said. “I wouldn’t think about the work, the record; I would think about my life. I’d had some very intensive chemo sessions, and no one knew nothing.”

Skunk Anansie, ‘The Painful Truth’ artwork. CREDIT: Press

Positive News on Cass’s Health

Fortunately, it seems Cass received uplifting news following his diagnosis. According to Metro, about a year later, Skin’s daughter announced: “Uncle Cass is not sick anymore,” which was later confirmed by doctors who stated they "couldn’t find any cancer."

Exciting Live Performances Ahead

To celebrate their new album, Skunk Anansie has announced a one-off headline show in Bristol on the album's release day (May 23). Tickets are available here.

This concert follows a series of upcoming headline dates across the UK and Europe starting this spring, and they will also perform at two shows supporting The Smashing Pumpkins in August. Visit here for all available tickets.

FAQs

• What is the release date for ‘The Painful Truth’? The album is set to be released on May 23.
• Who is the bassist of Skunk Anansie? The bassist is Cass, who recently revealed his stage 4 cancer diagnosis.
• What is the lead single from the new album? The lead single is ‘An Artist Is An Artist’.
• Where can I buy tickets for their live shows? You can purchase tickets on the official Ticketmaster website.
• What themes does the new album explore? The album explores personal experiences, emotional struggles, and the journey of the band.