On the eve of the 20th anniversary of Permission To Land – the chart-topping, award-winning, multi-platinum debut album which changed the face of rock music forever when it was originally released on July 7th 2003 – The Darkness today announce Permission To Land… Again; a special 20th Anniversary reissue collection, to be released on October 6th 2023 via Warner Music.
Regarding the release frontman Justin Hawkins says, “So much has happened since the original release of Permission To Land that I can hardly believe it’s only been 20 years. Such turmoil, upheaval, the emotional rollercoaster ride of being nobody, becoming somebody, going back to being nobody and LOVING EVERY SECOND OF IT. The past two decades have only been this eventful BECAUSE of the impact that our debut album had. I’m grateful for every second of this experience and delighted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the best debut album by The Darkness of all time. Join me in giving this seismic long player 20 heartfelt bumps. Happy birthday PTL!”
Britain’s beloved rock band celebrate this landmark with a special 4CD/1DVD release including the full original album, rare B-sides, bonus unreleased demos, as well as live albums from their iconic shows at London’s Astoria (2003), Knebworth (in support of Robbie Williams in 2003) and Wembley Arena (2004). A 2CD edition with a reduced track listing is also available.
Footage of the Knebworth and Astoria shows are captured on the DVD, as well as the music videos for their hit singles including ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’, ‘Get Your Hands Off My Woman’, ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)’ and more. There is also a ‘History Of The Darkness’ documentary plus various behind the scenes footage and outtakes from the Permission To Land era…
Permission To Land… Again is also released on 5LP vinyl, which mirrors the 4CD track listing. The original 1LP vinyl, which has long been out of print since the original pressing in 2003, has now been made available to purchase once again, alongside a new special blue/black marbled limited edition colour variant.
Having further polished their eternal rock stardom alongside Guns N’ Roses at BST Hyde Park last week, The Darkness are heading out on a world tour starting in the USA in October and rolling into Europe in November. UK & Ireland dates have just been announced starting on 2nd December in Belfast, with further shows in Dublin, Norwich, Norwich, London, Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham, before the tour concludes on December 16th in Wolverhampton.
Full tour dates and tickets can be found HERE
The shows promise to be a grand spectacle with the band playing the foot-stomping, guitar-wailing, groove-making masterpiece album in full, alongside a ‘Best Of The Rest’ set, stuffed to the gills with all the hits and fan favourites from their six subsequent studio albums.
Still riding high after 20 years, The Darkness have Permission To Land… Again.
Full album formats are listed below:
THE DARKNESS
PERMISSION TO LAND… AGAIN (20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION)
5LP
LP1: Permission to Land (2003)
LP2: Studio bonus tracks (2001-2003)
LP3: Singles & B-Sides
LP4: Live at Knebworth (2003)
LP5: Live at The Astoria (2003)
2CD
CD1: Permission to Land + bonus tracks (demos)
CD2: Singles, B-Sides, and non-album tracks
4CD+DVD
CD1: Permission to Land + bonus tracks (demos)
CD2: Singles, B-Sides and non-album tracks
CD3: Live at Knebworth (2003) and Live at The Astoria (2003)
CD4: Live at Wembley (2004)
DVD: Promo videos, extra features, Live at Knebworth (2003), Live at The Astoria (2003)
DIGITAL
Permission to Land (2003)
Bonus tracks (demos)
Singles, B-sides and non-album tracks
Live at Knebworth (2003)
Live at The Astoria (2003)
Live at Wembley (2004)
Permission To Land was originally released in 2003 via Atlantic Records and stormed to the top of the UK Albums chart, where it remained for four weeks, and spent 53 weeks in the Top 100. It achieved the band three BRIT Awards, including British Album Of The Year, British Group and British Rock Act, where they fended off competition from the likes of Blur, Radiohead, Sugababes, Muse, Primal Scream and more. The record has sold over 1.4 million copies to date.