The 1994 return of King Crimson was timed perfectly, matching, in no particular order, one of the peak periods for CD sales, a time of great variety of radio formats in the USA, the growth of a number of bands who pointed eagerly to the influence of King Crimson – especially of the 1972 – 74 band, a more positive critical reception for the band – following the remasters of the catalogue, Frame by Frame & Great Deceiver boxed sets supervised by Robert Fripp. Such timing not only benefited from the release of the various musicians from their other musical commitments, but in Robert Fripp's case, the ultimately successful battle to regain control of King Crimson's catalogue.

Recorded at Peter Gabriel’s RealWorld studios THRAK was released in 1995 followed by tours in Europe, Japan & the USA. In the USA Crimson joined the HORDE tour for 1995 – among a floating lineup that included Lenny Kravitz, The Black Crowes & Ziggy Marley. THRAK & its accompanying tours managed the task of appealing to older Crimson fans, while allowing the band to develop a whole new audience – perhaps unsurprisingly, as many of the musical ideas initially formulated by Crimson lineups of the 70s & 80s had been absorbed, extended & re-presented in a new light by bands directly influenced by earlier Crimson albums & performances.

Had THRAK merely reiterated those ideas most fans would, without doubt, have been happy with the outcome, but a key element in the evolution of Crimson’s music & history has been the band’s unwillingness to simply go on performing & recording for the sake of it. Robert Fripp places great importance on the fact that Crimson only operates when there is music that demands a King Crimson to perform it. This ability to walk away from the group at peak points artistically & commercially (as with the 70s & 80s lineups), is one of the band’s great strengths. It allows for the periodic reinvention of the band & ensures that innovation is a driving factor whenever the group does appear.

THRAK has all the hallmarks of a classic album – an album that challenged audience expectations when released, yet still sounds exciting now. For the band’s many fans, it rates comparison with the best of King Crimson studio albums, no mean feat given the quality & status of the likes of In The Court of the Crimson King – 1969, Red – 1974 & Discipline 1981.

The newly mixed stereo of THRAK was described as “transformative” by Robert Fripp & it's no exaggeration to state that this band can't be fully appreciated and understood until you hear the roar of THRAK emerging from six speakers.

Twenty years on from its original release, THRAK remains one of the most powerful studio albums of the period.