A Perfect Circle Announce Limited Thirteenth Step Audiophile Vinyl

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Published July 1, 2026 by Ned Tepper

A Perfect Circle are giving one of their most celebrated releases a serious collector grade upgrade.

The band’s 2003 album Thirteenth Step has officially joined Interscope-Capitol’s Definitive Sound Series, landing August 28 as a new limited edition audiophile pressing designed for vinyl obsessives and longtime fans alike.

Limited to 3,000 numbered copies worldwide, the release arrives as a 2xLP AAA 180g high-definition vinyl edition and has been created using the highly regarded One Step manufacturing process, a method prized among collectors for preserving detail and reducing sonic loss during production.

Mastering for the release was handled primarily by Levi Seitz at Black Belt Mastering using 24-Bit/96kHz files transferred from the original analogue flat masters, with exceptions made for “Crimes” and “Lullaby”, which were sourced from 24-Bit/44.1kHz files.

According to release notes, the goal was to preserve the album’s original atmosphere while bringing out greater depth, clarity and dynamic range.

Originally released in September 2003, Thirteenth Step expanded A Perfect Circle’s sound beyond the foundation established on Mer de Noms, exploring themes of addiction, recovery and transformation through some of the band’s most enduring material.

More than two decades later, songs like “Weak And Powerless”, “The Outsider” and “Blue” remain among the strongest moments in the band’s catalogue.

The release also lands during a busy period for A Perfect Circle, following the recent arrival of new single Starless, guitarist Billy Howerdel has confirmed more material is already underway and Australian fans will get the chance to see where things stand later this year when the band returns for their first local headline dates since 2013 alongside Puscifer.