Photo Credit: Tobias Andersson
Progressive rock supergroup Transatlantic have announced their new studio album The Absolute Universe, set for release on 5th February 2021 via InsideOut Music.
There will be two versions of the band’s forthcoming fifth album; The Absolute Universe: The Breath Of Life (Abridged Version) and The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (Extended Version). Drummer Mike Portnoy explains: “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.”
Bassist 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.”
The Absolute Universe sees the band creating another concept album, as Portnoy explains: “What we have is essentially one giant composition, split into chapters. The storyline is about the struggles facing everyone in society today.” Guitarist Roine Stolt continues: “We didn’t start out with the idea of this being conceptual. The way things work with us is that we have a load of ideas, and these are developed spontaneously when we meet up. Everything happens in the moment.”
The album will be available on CD, LP and digitally. The Absolute Universe: The Ultimate Edition will bring together both versions of the album, to create a package of 5LPs, 3 CDs and a Blu-ray with visuals and a behind the scenes documentary. Fans can pre-order all formats of the album from the 20th November 2020.
