IT'S AUSSIE RULES FOR ASLAN..

Band debuts new sound in Oz

- Cathal Ryan

ALMOST four decades after their first single, Aslan guitarist Billy McGuinness says the legendary rock band is feeling the same buzz they did in 1986 as their latest tune drops.

The outfit's newest single, A Hand To Hold, is out now, their second release from an upcoming album later this year - and the latest to feature vocals from new singer Lee Tomkins.

The tune, which will be played live for the first time in Perth tonight as Aslan kick off their Australian tour, follows from their rockier hit, Hear Your Call, which dropped in March.

This latest track, “shows a different side” to the iconic band.

“There's nervousness, we're excited,” longstanding Aslan guitarist Billy McGuinness told The Scene ahead of the release of their latest single.

“The way we test out music is, you play in front of a live audience, and that gives you so much.

“So there is an excitement there, we're going to be performing it in Lynott's in Perth, which is the first gig.

“I can't wait to hear how it goes down. We're very proud of the track. It’s showing a different side of Aslan to Hear Your Call.

“Hear Your Call had the Aslan sound, and you kind of knew it was Aslan. With this track, a few people that I played it to, (I asked them) ‘Who do you think this band is?’

“They're going, ‘Geez, I haven't a clue’. And I think that's great, because it's different. And in my opinion, different is good.