Dennis Atlas has announced the global release of his solo album titled PRINCIPLE on May 15 via MRI. Within the world of Dennis Atlas, his creative mission navigates a path that aspires to reach that place where integrity and excitement meet. His world is one where those two concepts are intrinsically tied. Integrity is met and honored in the form of honest raw authenticity. And when it comes to his presence, whether creating independently or as a member of Toto’s ensemble, it is no surprise he’s become a crowd favorite with electric energy that lights up any room or stage.

Atlas shares, “I love to make music that is concise and relatable, regardless of what form or length it takes; that’s always my aim. There has to be deep intention in what I am saying, why, and who I am saying it to. Then every note is potent with meaning and significance. That’s when I am able to carry it energetically into a sonic package that is unmistakable, memorable, and identifiable. In the form of these melodies and lyrics, it is this energy exactly that I hope people think of when they hear the name Dennis Atlas.”

The debut single from the album is “Violent Power.” The anthemic track brings each listener into a world where humanity’s ability to thrive is so potent that the forces of violence are not just defeated, but instead have no bearing on existence in the first place. The song features world-renowned drummer Marco Minnemann, and Atlas on lead vocals, keys, bass, and guitar, and was co-written by Dennis Atlas and Steve Bonino.

Atlas grew up in Santa Clarita, California, right next to one of the biggest and best rollercoaster amusement parks in the world, with a loving family (Mom, Dad, and big brother) who taught him everything he carried with him tied to loving life. Like many, he and his brother started a band in their early teens. He was influenced by bands including Styx and Queen who unapologetically took any stylistic approach to music that authentically excited them, and put it across in a way that millions or billions of the public could sing along to and also dig deeper. He was encouraged as a young man to be creative, and shares, “I never wavered or remember wanting anything else than to be a rockstar.” As he reflects on the past, he recalls, “I’m glad I had a lot of the failures and successes I had before the Toto call came along. There was so much I learned about preparedness, attitude, and simply the context (perspective) of what choices are out there. I also experienced being at home with no gigs and no money, simply working deeper on my own craft, or even having a temporary loss of motivation, then having to find and discover what excites/excited me again. All of this played a huge part in deeply respecting and truly cherishing the situations I do get the privilege of being involved in, and especially the position I have now.”

Atlas is as well-grounded a young man walking planet Earth as there is. He concludes, “I am so indescribably lucky to have a team and band around me that is not only so great and so legendary, but so supportive of me and what I do. I’ve heard of musicians getting fired from a gig for mentioning their solo material in an interview. Yet, here I am with a whole group of bandmates that all wanted to play on my album. It’s a dream I couldn’t have even dreamed up. So here we go into dreams of as many rollercoasters (and other cool experiences) as we can possibly ride together through the power of this music!”

It was a great pleasure to talk to Dennis Atlas on his new album “Principle” and his work and touring with Toto. Check out the complete coverage on the below YouTube video.

TRACKLIST:

1. Surprises From Within (Feat. Marco Minnemann)
2. Violent Power (Feat. Marco Minnemann)
3. Scare Me (Feat. Steve Lukather)
4. Games (Feat. Bumblefoot and Joseph Williams)
5. Instincts
6. Different World
7. Relative Fiction
8. Candy on Mars (Feat. Steve Lukather)
9. When the Monster Attacks
10. Save it For Tomorrow (Feat. Warren Ham)
11. We Can Be the Future (Feat. David Paich)