"XTC's third album, Drums And Wires, receives a modern Atmos mix by Steven Wilson, preserving its historical authenticity while updating it for the 21st century."
On September 26, 2025, XTC's iconic album Drums and Wires will receive a new lease of life, with a Dolby Atmos remix by Steven Wilson. The remix is set to be released across multiple formats, including CD, Blu-ray, and heavyweight vinyl.
The CD version features Wilson's 2014 mix of the album, with minor 2025 revisions, along with singles and additional tracks. The Blu-ray edition, however, offers an immersive audio experience, with the full album mixed in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound, and LPCM 24/96 stereo.
The Blu-ray set is a treasure trove for XTC fans. It includes the original album, extra tracks, and a vast amount of additional material. This includes demos, rehearsals, pre-album session recordings, and instrumentals of the songs. Notably, the set also features the Swindon Town Hall 1 and 2 sessions, Toots Garage session, Tudor Barn Album Rehearsal, and DJM Stereo Mixes.
One of the highlights of the Blu-ray version is a bonus version of "That Is The Way," which has no adjustment to the pitch and is exactly as the band recorded it. Another interesting discovery made during the remix process was that the masters of "Officer Blue" and "That Is The Way" were slowed down significantly for the original release.
The remixed album will be presented in replica mini-vinyl style packaging, complete with a booklet containing photos and album lyrics. For vinyl enthusiasts, the 2014 Steven Wilson mix of "Drums And Wires" will be released on 200-gram vinyl for the first time.
For those who wish to collect the entire package, special bundles combining these options are available for pre-order. This promises to be an exciting release for XTC fans, offering a fresh take on a classic album and a wealth of bonus material.
- On the same day, the rejuvenated metal and rock album, Drums and Wires by XTC, will be released on heavyweight vinyl, marking the first time Steven Wilson's 2014 mix is available on this format.
- The CD version of the album, with its 2025 revisions, will also be released, featuring singles and additional tracks alongside the Dolby Atmos remixed album.
- For a truly immersive entertainment experience, the Blu-ray edition offers a selection of XTC's recordings, including demos, rehearsals, and pre-album sessions, along with the full album mixed in Dolby Atmos.
- One special attraction in the Blu-ray set is an unaltered version of "That Is The Way" from the band's archives, providing a unique insight into their recording process.
- During the remix process, it was discovered that the masters of "Officer Blue" and "That Is The Way" were originally slowed down significantly prior to their release.
- The upcoming release will include a booklet containing photos and album lyrics, presented in replica mini-vinyl style packaging for the vinyl enthusiasts.
- To cater to fans who wish to collect the entire package, special bundles offering a combination of formats are available for pre-order, promising a captivating experience for lovers of XTC's music.
