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With the exception of Chicken Foot they don’t tend to make super groups of note anymore, but in Transatlantic and their new studio album “The Whirlwind“, the rock world can breathe a sigh of relief.

Drawing on the strengths of Neil Morse (ex Spocks Beard), Dream Theater’s drummer Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings on guitars and Marillion’s bass player, Pete Trewavas, the band’s first album in eight years is an album that screams excellence.

From the opening track of Overture/Whirlwind, music lovers are treated to 77 minutes of interesting musical arrangements, genuinely thoughtful lyrics and desire to please fans, old and new.

Whatever you feel towards the genre of Progressive Rock, there is something to be said for a band that can seamlessly blend elements of early Genesis/yes like music and give it a huge kick up the backside and then take it gently towards the next logical step.

Pete Trewavas underlines once more on this album just how important he is to the world of rock and how dependable a musician he is, especially when you consider that he recorded his parts of the album away from the other three members at the Racket Club in Buckinghamshire.        

Possibly one of the genre’s best albums in years.

Transatlantic play two dates in May, in Shepherds Bush on the 21st May and in Manchester at the Academy on the 22nd.

Ian D. Hall