After relentlessly touring their last two albums worldwide with over 350 shows THE PICTUREBOOKS have gained a lot of self-confidence in themselves. The goal was to add a new vibe to their music while still keeping true to THE PICTUREBOOKS sound aesthetic. They didn’t just use their new found inspiration to work harder on the production of “The Hands of Time”, but it also encouraged them to experiment with their genuine sound and introduce new instruments such as piano or tubular bells. They even handcrafted some of their own percussion instruments that they will be taking on the road with them to further spice up their energetic live shows.

Additionally they mixed a couple of uptempo songs such as “Electric Nights” with their trademark midtempo burners like “The Day The Thunder Arrives” or “Tell Me Lies”. For the first time in the band’s history they have a guest-vocalist on one of their songs: you can hear Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders on the track "You Can´t Let Go". After producing the album themselves together with Claus Grabke in their own studio it was mastered by Brian Lucey at Magic Garden Mastering who already refined the sound of albums from the likes of Biffy Clyro, Marilyn Manson, The Black Keys, Ghost or Royal Blood.

“The Hands of Time” is about accepting and celebrating nothing but the truth, the ups and downs of life, the tears and laughter and the deep friendship between the two band members Fynn Grabke (vocals, guitar) and Philipp Mirtschink (drums). The 1st single “Howling Wolf” is basically the story of their lives: two stray dogs from a small town on their way to conquer the world - pretty soon they will be howling in your town!