Transatlantic

Live at the O2 Forum, Kentish Town, London

27th July 2022

By Robert Corich

It’s been over a half a dozen years since the supergroup Transatlantic last graced stages on this side of the Atlantic. So how did they do?

For a band that only seems to get together every half a dozen years or so the tightness and solidarity of the these five musicians playing together is nothing short of incredible. The musicianship from every single one of them is A grade and it shows with the finesse the bands often complex time signatures and structures within their epic musical journey’s are delivered. With nearly three hours of complex but rewarding music delivered in two parts Transatlantic have never been a band for those with a short attention span. AC/DC fans take note.

With each of the members originating from a classic modern Prog band in their own right it’s always been fascinating to hear the interplay and influences, both obvious and not so obvious from their respective bands and these guys never disappoint. In fact there’s an argument that prevails that for each of the musicians their finest hours are when they are playing together as Transatlantic.

For those that can remember the supergroups of the late sixties and seventies then this modern quartet (with a plus one) is the natural extension of the very best of them. Rumour is, this is the last tour and if it is they’ve certainly delivered an unforgettable musical experience.

Never say never is the motto and I for one will welcome their return whether it’s in a few years or another half a dozen. In the meantime it’d be nice if they could deliver more aural sculptures culminating in a sliver of silver so as to at least have a half a dozen studio albums under their belt. After all it’d be a tragedy if messers Stolt, Morse, Portnoy & Trewavas packed it all in while they are clearly on the rise and on a roll. God forbid, we might have to resort to Rival Sons or something equally less satisfying.

The delivery of complete and sometimes extended musical suites that Transatlantic are famous for was nothing short of superb in the Forum tonight. Please come back soon guys.