Artist: TRANSATLANTIC
Album: LIVE IN EUROPE (2DVD)

Release date: 2003
Media type: DVD

Transatlantic, the all star ensemble who wowed the rock world last year with their debut offering “SMPTe” are back! A brand new studio album would have us believe that the progressive supergroup are here to stay. Upon listening to the album would also confirm that their initial success was no fluke either! “Bridge Across Forever” is rather aptly named as it does build many bridges between a vast array of musical worlds. With its foundations shamelessly rooted firmly in the 70’s indulgences of progressive rock, we are taken on a musical journey via elements of pop and soul with smatterings of jazz in between and a healthy dose of classic hard rock.

For those not in the know, TransAtlantic is made up of Flower Kings guitarist Roine Stolt, Spock’s Beard multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Neal Morse, Marillion bassist Pete Trewavas and Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy. Their sensational debut release shocked critics by entering the national German charts last year (at #66), almost unheard of for anything remotely connected to the progressive rock genre these days! The band also surprised many when they released a double live set entitled “Live In America” earlier this year as a kind of stop gap between “SMPTe” and the next studio release, which was recorded on their modest tour of the US at the end of 2000.

The seed for TransAtlantic was initially sown by drummer Mike Portnoy, who in ’99 contacted Neal Morse with his idea for an all-star progressive rock band. Originally the plan had been to involve Fates Warning guitarist Jim Matheos but due to other commitments Matheos was unable to participate. Morse had already been corresponding with Flower Kings guitarist Roine Stolt after the two had performed in LA at the Progfest in ’97 with their respective bands and so he seemed an obvious choice to fill the role. Bass playing duties fell to Pete Trewavas after being asked by Portnoy, who had been a big Marillion fan for years. And so TransAtlantic was born! The four met up in a recording studio in upstate New York to record their debut, each bringing with them a collection of ideas for the project. Those ideas were then adapted, added to and refined throughout the sessions and what evolved was an amalgam of old school progressive rock and modern pop/rock sensibilities. “SMPTe” drew obvious comparisons to each individuals full time band but also managed to ignite a buzz amongst prog fans and critics alike. England’s Classic Rock magazine bestowed a glowing five star review upon the album and raved about it for months. The album went on to sweep many readers poll awards that year, becoming a firm favourite amongst the progressive rock community.

“Bridge Across Forever” is the highly anticipated follow up and is a daring new collection of epics that is sure to enthral fans once again. The new album reflects more of a true band sound this time around whilst still allowing the fab four to wear their influences proudly on their sleeves. The Beatles being an obvious reference with the plethora of rich vocal harmonies provided by all four musicians. “I grew up with The Beatles” says Trewavas, “We all love that band, it’s a phenomena which you can't limit to a specific period of time”. TransAtlantic has again enabled Stolt, Morse, Trewavas and Portnoy to indulge a brand of song writing, which is totally uninhibited or restricted to any particular style or length. Something which they have really taken advantage of with the opener ‘Duel With The Devil’ and the weighty ‘Stranger In Your Soul’ both clocking in at just under half an hour each! Despite the fact that each track has allowed them to flex their musical muscles with expansive improvisations, the song writing is never compromised as a result. The album contains an abundance of memorable hooks throughout as well as the heartfelt ballad title track.

It is the successful combination of the past and the present that gives this band such a unique flair. TransAtlantic's music cannot be safely boxed into any specific period or genre. In a world where we are constantly fed fast food, bite size chunks through radio and MTV, TransAtlantic proudly step forward to offer up a veritable gourmet feast. European fans now wait with baited breath as TransAtlantic prepare for their first ever European performances this coming November and it promises to be a real treat for music lovers!

“Bridge Across Forever” will be released in Europe in October and as well as the regular jewel case edition, it will also be available as a stylish digi-book package complete with a 28 page colour booklet and an extra disc with six bonus tracks (including a breathtaking rendition of the Pink Floyd classic ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’) and video footage of the band in the studio.

TRACKLIST:

DVD 1
1. Duel With The Devil
2. My New World
3. We All Need Some Light
4. Suite Charlotte Pike Medley
5. Stranger In Your Soul
6. All Of The Above

DVD 2
Tourdocumentary
Shine On Your Crazy Diamond
Photo Gallery

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Daniel Gildenlow (additional Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion & Vocals)