Alex Williams is throwing gasoline on the campfire and lighting up his metal roots with Space Brain, his third studio album, out July 18 via Lightning Rod Records. Known for his outlaw country edge, Williams rips up the rulebook on this one, reimagining ’80s metal classics from Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Motörhead, Cinderella, and more as boot-stomping roots-rockers and brooding ballads.
Produced in Nashville by GRAMMY winner Ben Fowler (Charley Crockett, Lynyrd Skynyrd), Space Brain doesn’t abandon Williams’ country pedigree—it stretches it to its wildest edge. With help from guitar greats Rob McNelley, Dan Dugmore, and Mike Payne, Williams reshapes arena anthems into gritty, soul-soaked reinterpretations that put storytelling front and center.
The first taste of the record comes via a Southern-fried revamp of Ratt’s “Round and Round,” now a smoky, slow-burn rocker fit for last-call jukebox spins. “‘Round and Round’ is one of my favorite songs of all time,” says Williams. “It felt more natural to lay the song down when it came time to record.”
More highlights include a snarling “Ace of Spades,” a rebel-rousing “Youth Gone Wild,” and a rugged duet with Cody Jinks on Ozzy’s “Flying High Again.”
“I didn’t record these songs to make a statement, or to tell people I’m different,” Williams explains. “This album is just an extension of my story. I grew up on ’80s hair metal, and that music is still in my DNA. I’m always trying to make albums that represent where I’m at and what I’m feeling, but I’ve never had any sort of game plan. I didn’t set out to become an outlaw country artist. I’m just doing whatever feels right in the current moment… and right now, this ’80s metal album just feels right.”
Space Brain arrives July 18. Tour kicks off May 24.
Space Brain Track List:
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“Nobody’s Fool” (featuring Tom Keifer) – originally by Cinderella
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“Ace of Spades” – Motörhead
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“Flying High Again” (featuring Cody Jinks) – Ozzy Osbourne
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“Gettin’ Better” – Tesla
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“Look What the Cat Dragged In” – Poison
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“Youth Gone Wild” – Skid Row
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“You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” – Judas Priest
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“Wild Side” – Mötley Crüe
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“Round and Round” – Ratt
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“Night Train” – Guns N’ Roses
Alex Williams 2025 Tour Dates:
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May 24 – Alden, N.Y. – The American Legion Post*
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May 25 – New Tripoli, Pa. – Backyard Country Gigging
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June 14 – Des Moines, Iowa – Free Range Music & BBQ Festival
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June 21 – Cadillac, Mich. – Coyote Crossing Resort
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June 27 – Newport, Ky. – The Southgate House Revival†
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June 28 – Chicago – Joe’s Bar on Weed St.†
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July 18 – Indianapolis – Turntable
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July 26 – Mount Horeb, Wis. – Mount Horeb Country Music Faire
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Aug. 1 – Nashville, Tenn. – Chief’s on Broadway
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Aug. 22 – Cleveland – Beachland Tavern
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Aug. 23 – Columbus, Ohio – Woodlands Tavern
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Aug. 29 – Waterloo, Neb. – Buck’s Bar and Grill
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Sept. 5 – Urbana, Ill. – The Canopy Club
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Sept. 6 – Brooklyn, Wis. – Main Street Music
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Sept. 20 – Dunn, N.C. – Bird’s Nest Listening Room
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Oct. 9 – Whitleyville, Tenn. – North Springs Music Festival
* with Addison Johnson
† with Tennessee Jet and Hannah Dasher
