BRIDGE ACROSS FOREVER

When Americans Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals) of Spock's Beard and Mike Portnoy (drums) of Dream Theater dreamed of starting a supergroup, they imagined working with some Prog Rock masters from overseas. They recruited Roine Stolt (guitars, vocals) whose band The Flower Kings moved the Yes sound into the 21st Century, and Pete Trewavas (bass) from Marillion, a leader in the new wave of bands in the Genesis sound lineage.

Their debut album, SMPTe (2000) was critically applauded. But the second album really shines, as the band became more cohesive and the "epic" songs lived up to the term.

Both "Duel with the Devil" and "Stranger in Your Soul" clock in at over 26 minutes, the latter is a masterpiece from the mind and heart of Neal Morse.