Prog supergroup Transatlantic launch interstellar 'Overture / Reaching For The Sky' video
A typically epic prog odyssey
Progressive rock supergroup Transatlantic – featuring Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt and Pete Trewavas - have launched the interstellar video for their new single ‘Overture / Reaching For The Sky’.
Clocking in at over nine-and-a-half minutes, the sprawling prog song ‘Overture / Reaching For The Sky’ is the first taster of Transatlantic’s fifth studio album ‘The Absolute Universe’, which lands on Friday 5th February 2021.
Intriguingly, Transatlantic are releasing two versions of their first record in six years; ‘The Absolute Universe: The Breath Of Life (Abridged Version)’ & ‘The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (Extended Version)’.
The accompanying retro-futuristic ‘Overture / Reaching For The Sky’ video was directed by Christian Rios and features the airship created by Pavel Zhovba that adorns the sleeve to ‘The Absolute Universe’ on a voyage into space.
Watch Transatlantic’s ‘Overture / Reaching For The Sky’ video:
Drummer Mike Portnoy says: “‘Reaching For The Sky’ is the first single off Transatlantic’s latest Magnum opus ‘The Absolute Universe’. It’s a great introduction to this epic album as it sets the tone in traditional TA style: proceeded on the album by an extended Instrumental Overture and then launching into this upbeat first song.
“I love that it features one of my favorite qualities of the band in the sharing of the lead vocals...in this case: Neal singing lead on Verse 1, myself singing lead on Verse 2, Pete & Neal sharing the Chorus with myself and Roine on backups and Neal taking the glorious Bridge...all leading to Roine’s distinctive guitar solo.
“Also interesting is that this version exclusively appears on the Abridged 1CD Version of TA5 (“The Breath Of Life”) while the Extended 2CD Version of TA5 (“Forevermore”) opens with the alternate version ‘Heart Like A Whirlwind’ which has different lead vocals and lyrics.”
Both versions of ‘The Absolute Universe’ will be available to buy on CD, LP and digital formats. Additionally, there will be ‘The Absolute Universe: The Ultimate Edition’, which collects both versions together in one expansive package that includes 5LP’s, 3CD’s & a Blu-ray that includes a special mix that combines both versions into a third unique version in 5.1 surround sound with visuals and a behind the scenes documentary.
Explaining more about the different versions of ‘The Absolute Universe’, Mike Portnoy adds: “We've got two versions of this album. There is a two CD presentation, which is 90 minutes long, and a single one - that's 60 minutes. However, the single CD is NOT merely an edited version of the double CD. They each contain alternate versions and even in some cases, new recordings.
“We wrote fresh lyrics and have different people singing on the single CD version tracks as compared to those on the double CD. Some of the song titles have also been changed, while others might remain the same, but compositionally what you'll hear has been altered. You must appreciate that what we have done is unique. We revamped the songs to make the two versions different.”
Pete Trewavas adds: “We did write some new music for the single CD, what's more, there are also differences in the instruments used on some of the tracks across the two records.”
Revealing that ‘The Absolute Universe’ is a concept record, Mike Portnoy adds: “Well, the idea of Transatlantic deciding to do a concept record this time around won't shock anyone, right?. What we have is essentially one giant composition, split into chapters. The storyline is about the struggles facing everyone in society today.”
The album is available to pre-order right here.