WHIRLD TOUR 2010 - LIVE FROM SHEPHERD'S BUSH EMPIRE, LONDON

When I think of TRANSATLANTIC the word "epic" often comes to mind. I mean just check out this triple live album with an opening 80 minute track followed by a 30 minute song. Oh yeah there's a couple of other 30 minute tracks on here as well. Epic ! I still feel honoured whenever I hear the music of this group knowing that Roine Stolt and Neal Morse are together in the same band.That still freaks me out a bit being a big fan of early SPOCK'S BEARD and early THE FLOWER KINGS. And yes the fact that MARILLION's bass player and DREAM THEATER's former drummer are also part of this, well that's epic ! On this concert it's even more mind blowing because PAIN OF SALVATION's leader Daniel Gildenlow is here as sort of a Jack of all trades playing guitar, keys and singing.

"The Whirlwind" is here in it's entirety and man they don't disappoint. An almost 80 minute ride. Love when it kicks in around a minute and the boys let their hair down. Especially the guitar and organ.Vocals arrive at 6 1/2 minutes. So good. A change after 9 minutes as we get a calm. It does build as the vocals get more passionate and the bass becomes chunky while the organ peels off some heavy runs. Another calm 15 minutes in then the bass comes in as the crowd claps along. Great section. Other highlights are when Roine comes in vocally around 23 1/2 minutes, then it turns heavy with mellotron. It becomes pretty intense around 29 minutes. A beautiful passage after 34 minutes with tender vocals. Roine is lighting it up 39 minutes in. It turns heavy again 51 1/2 minutes in and then the vocals come in followed by mellotron 53 1/2 minutes in. Love the guitar 55 minutes in and check out Portnoy 59 minutes in. We hear some samples followed by reserved vocals then the tempo picks up. How good is this ! When the heavy jam stops after 67 1/2 minutes the crowd roars it's approval. It then becomes ballad-like for some time then Roine returns on guitar. What a song !

"All Of The Above" starts off disc two. Lots of cheering to start then the band kicks in. Nice bass 2 minutes in as it settles back. It kicks back in before 3 1/2 minutes and vocals come in before 5 minutes. Check out the Portnoy / Stolt section before 8 1/2 minutes. Piano and chunky bass follow.The crowd sings along when the vocals return after 14 minutes.It starts to pick up 18 1/2 minutes in then we get a reprise at 20 minutes. Nice. It settles again after 25 minutes as the crowd sings along. It kicks back in at 26 minutes. So freaking good !

"We All Need Some Light" is where the band takes a break except for Morse and Stolt who continue until the band returns. I love the keys here before the band returns.They remind me of the band BAUER.Vocals after 3 minutes.Why is this so emotional ? Great sound before 7 minutes. "Duel With The Devil" is one the crowd is really into. Some ripping organ and guitar after 2 minutes.It's funny when they do that DEEP PURPLE bit with a brief "Highway Star" section. Portnoy puts on a show after 11 minutes. Love Roine's guitar 15 minutes in and when he finishes someone from the band yells "Mr. Roine Stolt !".

Disc three begins with "Bridge Across Forever" which is mostly reserved vocals and piano. "Stranger In Your Soul" is the 30 minute closer. It kicks in right away with drums then a full sound. It settles after 2 minutes with reserved vocals and piano. It kicks in again with a heavy sound around 5 1/2 minutes. Amazing sound 8 1/2 minutes in and after 10 minutes and 13 1/2 minutes. Another calm follows as contrasts continue. Kicking ass 21 minutes in. It's so moving after 24 minutes.The crowd refuses to stop going crazy long after this song ends.

Just an emotional ride with lights out instrumental work too. If your even remotely a fan then this is well worth picking up. 4.5 stars.