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Alice Cooper Reunites with Original Band for New Album

Alice Cooper describes the process of creating a new album with his original bandmates — their first collaboration in over 51 years — as remarkably intuitive. “It felt just like riding a bike,” he shared during a recent phone interview from his Phoenix residence, discussing the upcoming release titled The Revenge of Alice Cooper, which is set to debut on July 25 through earMUSIC.

Cooper reminisced, noting, “It was as if we were picking up where we left off after Muscle of Love in 1973. It’s amusing that after so many decades, everything just clicked back into place.”

Producer Bob Ezrin, a key figure behind many of the band’s classic 1970s records, echoed Cooper’s sentiment, observing that the dynamic among the band members had remained intact. “They haven’t changed much personality-wise,” he remarked. “Sure, they’ve gained maturity and stability over the years, but when reunited, it feels like they’ve instantly regressed to their youthful selves, reminiscent of their high school days, creating music with the same energy and passion as they did decades ago.”

The new album comprises 14 tracks and marks a reunion with guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway, and drummer Neil Smith. The album is dedicated to guitarist Glen Buxton, who passed away in 1997 at the age of 49. Buxton’s presence is acknowledged through two tracks. “What Happened to You” incorporates a riff from an old demo recorded by Buxton and Dunaway, while “Return of the Spiders 2025,” featured as a bonus track in a limited-edition box set, is a remixed version of a song from their second album, 1970’s Easy Action.

Additionally, the album includes bonus remixes of the “Titanic Overunderture” from their debut album, Pretties For You, alongside a remake of the Yardbirds’ “I Ain’t Done Wrong,” a tribute to one of Cooper’s early musical influences during their formation as the Spiders in Phoenix.

Cooper is set to unveil the first single, “Black Mamba,” on his syndicated radio show, Alice’s Attic, on April 22. This track features Robby Krieger of the Doors, a longtime friend since Cooper’s formative years in Los Angeles. He describes the song as quintessentially Alice Cooper, born out of spontaneous studio sessions. “At first, we were just jamming on a riff to warm up. Then it evolved into this concept about a Black Mamba snake — a lethal serpent — which fell into place very naturally,” said Dunaway.

Ezrin, who contributed as a songwriter, vocalist, and instrumentalist on the album, believes that “Black Mamba” encapsulates the spirit of the album. “It was a clear indication to me that the essence of the Alice Cooper group had returned,” he said, reflecting on the characteristics that reminded him of their 70s records, including rich psychedelic elements and distinctive storytelling.

Cooper noted the album’s uncertainty during creation, humorously saying, “At the end of our jamming, we looked at each other and thought, ‘Wow, that’s pretty good!’

Over the last decade, the group has been gradually rebuilding towards this comprehensive album. Their initial split in 1974, following seven successful albums and the creation of iconic hits like “I’m Eighteen” and “School’s Out,” was marked by a lack of animosity. Cooper explained, “We didn’t divorce; we just parted ways. There wasn’t any long-lasting anger.”

Dunaway emphasized the enduring bond, stating, “The focus has always been on our connection rather than the separation. Through the years, we’ve mended old wounds.” Both Bruce and Smith have participated in various events, including the Alice Cooper’s restaurant openings and the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, which further solidified their relationships.

Collaborations continued on Cooper’s later albums, such as Welcome 2 My Nightmare in 2011 and Detroit Stories in 2021. A special performance in 2015 for Dunaway’s memoir celebration saw the original band reunite for an eight-song set that was later released as Live from the Astoturf.

In 2017, Bruce, Dunaway, and Smith joined Cooper on U.K. dates of his world tour, which laid the groundwork for future collaborations. Dunaway reflected, “All these reunions felt like a family gathering, reinforcing our bond.” Following these engagements, the idea of a new album began to take shape, driven by the discovery of various songs within the group.

Ezrin expressed how their sporadic collaborations over the years made working together feel joyful and familiar. “Finally, we decided it was time to do a full album, similar to our earlier works,” he said.

The recording sessions for The Revenge… took place primarily in Nashville, along with additional work done in Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Toronto, where Cooper recorded his vocals.

As anticipation builds for the album’s release, excitement is palpable among the band members due to the secrecy surrounding their work. However, no live performances have been confirmed to support the album yet, as Cooper is engaged in an extensive touring schedule throughout the year.

When asked about the possibility of performing together, Cooper expressed cautious optimism. He suggested that it might not result in a full tour but left room for select performances in key cities like Detroit and New York. “It’s all dependent on logistics, but we’re open to it,” he stated.

His bandmates share the enthusiasm, with Bruce affirming he would gladly participate if given the chance, and Dunaway echoed his readiness to reunite for a live show.

While Dunaway considers The Revenge… a significant moment for the band, Cooper feels that this is not the conclusion of their collaborative efforts. He mentioned discussions surrounding the possibility of future albums, signaling ongoing creative synergy. “There’s no harm in continuing to work together. I can juggle my solo projects while collaborating with them,” he said. “Participating in this original band dynamic is rewarding, and I’m always willing to do it.”

The Revenge of Alice Cooper is available for pre-order now and features the following tracklist:

1. “Black Mamba”

2. “Wild Ones”

3. “Up All Night”

4. “Kill The Flies”

5. “One Night Stand”

6. “Blood On The Sun”

7. “Crap That Gets In The Way Of Your Dreams”

8. “Famous Face”

9. “Money Screams”

10. “What A Syd”

11. “Inter Galactic Vagabond Blues”

12. “What Happened To You”

13. “I Ain’t Done Wrong”

14. “See You On The Other Side”

15. “Return of the Spiders 2025” (bonus track)

16. “Titanic Overunderture” (bonus track)

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