After a 53-year silence, the legendary Detroit punk pioneers MC5 roar back with Heavy Lifting, their first new studio album since 1971. Led by founding member Wayne Kramer, who passed away earlier this year, the album arrives as both a celebration of MC5's enduring legacy and a final salute to the last of the original lineup, including Dennis "Machine Gun" Thompson, who passed away this year as well.

Produced by the great Bob Ezrin, Heavy Lifting taps into the raw, rebellious energy that launched MC5 into the stratosphere, while blending it with fresh perspectives from an all-star roster of guest musicians. Collaborators include Slash, Tom Morello, William DuVall of Alice in Chains, Vernon Reid of Living Colour, Rise Against's Tim McIlrath, and more, proving that MC5's influence transcends generations and genres. As Morello remarked, “I think Heavy Lifting is a record which certainly fits very well into the excellence of the MC5 catalog. It does stand as a testament to a lifetime of rock and roll greatness.”

Emerging from the gritty streets of 1960s Detroit, MC5 ignited a musical and cultural movement with their fearless fusion of garage rock, blues, soul, free jazz, and proto-punk. Their bold political stance and riotous live shows inspired countless bands, from the Clash to Rage Against The Machine, and continue to reverberate through punk and alternative rock today. Wayne Kramer reflected in a 2023 UNCUT interview, “We made an album that is in sync with the challenges we're facing today, and that carries a positive message.”

With 12 of the 13 songs co-written by Kramer and Oakland singer-songwriter Brad Brooks, Heavy Lifting is as much a reflection of today’s struggles as it is a tribute to MC5’s unflinching commitment to rebellion. Kramer’s powerful guitar and vocals lead the charge, joined by a lineup of musicians who embody the fearless spirit that MC5 always represented. From the politically charged riffs of Morello to the explosive energy of Slash, the album serves as a reminder of MC5’s influence.

The deluxe edition of Heavy Lifting also features previously unreleased live recordings from the 2018 MC50 tour, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Kick Out The Jams. These recordings, with contributions from Soundgarden's Kim Thayil, Faith No More’s Billy Gould, and Fugazi’s Brendan Canty, among others, capture the raw power that defined MC5’s early days.

As MC5 enters the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024, Heavy Lifting reminds us why they should have been inducted years ago.