Sydney-based hard rock power trio Simple Stone return with their third full-length studio album, Nine, set for release on January 30. Forged in intensity, reflection, and forward momentum, Nine captures a band operating at full force and entering a new phase of their evolution.
Recorded and engineered at Studio Bleus (Sydney) by Dave Bleus, and produced collaboratively by Simple Stone and Dave Bleus, Nine sees the band refining their signature sound: a hard-hitting power-trio foundation infused with ’90s grunge and punk grit, sharpened by flashes of classic metal. The album was mastered by Leon Zervos at Studios 301, delivering a dynamic, punchy record built for both headphones and high-volume live rooms.
The album’s title was inspired by Simple Stone’s 2024 Japan tour, where the Japanese word for the number nine (kyū) is phonetically linked to the word for pain or suffering. That dual meaning became the conceptual backbone of the record, shaping both its sonic weight and emotional depth.
“Nine is about recognising pain and adversity without letting it define you,” the band explain. “It acknowledges struggle, resilience, and the determination to push forward regardless. These songs were written with that mindset — not as an escape from hardship, but as a response to it.”
The first single, “T.O.A.”, will be released across all major streaming platforms ahead of the album, offering an early taste of the record’s raw energy, sharp hooks, and unfiltered intensity.
Nine will be available digitally worldwide and on CD via Simple Stone’s Bandcamp store, with physical copies also available at live shows: https://simplestone.bandcamp.com/album/nine
With plans already underway to tour Nine in Japan and the United States later this year, Simple Stone are positioning themselves firmly in the early stages of an international push — taking their brand of no-frills, emotionally charged hard rock well beyond Australian borders.
Nine is not just a statement of where Simple Stone have been — it’s a clear signal of where they’re heading next.
