SMPT:e by Transatlantic

SMPT:e first album by the supergroup Transatlantic, from 2000

First of all, let's recall the lineup of this monstrous band: 

- Neal Morse, Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, known for solo projects and numerous side projects including The Neal Morse Band and Spock's Beard but also the recent 2025 project Cosmic Cathedral to name a few…

- Roine Stolt, Guitar, Vocals, Percussion, known for solo works and numerous bands including The Flower Kings and The Tangent 

- Pete Trewavas, Bass, Vocals, longtime bassist of Marillion 

- Mike Portnoy, Drums, Vocals, known for numerous projects including Dream Theater, The Neal Morse Band, Liquid Tension Experiment, Flying Colors.

So we are talking about the cornerstones of modern prog rock & metal music, musicians of superlative talent who have created a solid debut album, a great contribution to the continuation of the progressive rock tradition in the 21st century.

The album title is the acronym of the surnames of the four members of the group (Stolt, Morse, Portnoy, and Trewavas), but it is also the format of a communication protocol between audio/video recording devices (and more). 

The tracks

- All of the Above, an epic 30-minute track, is the TOP Track of the album, divided into six parts ranging from funky to melodic prog to jazz. The band's first song and a splendid calling card.
- We All Need Some Light, a soft ballad in Neal Morse's style with a beautiful opening featuring the typical sound of 70s Symphonic Rock.
- Mystery Train is a catchy track with great drum and bass parts and a splendid performance by Roine Stolt and his guitar. 

- My New World with great synergy between Neal Morse and Roine Stolt, a very emotional song 

- In Held (Twas) In I is a beautiful cover of a Procol Harum classic performed with a less dark tone than the original. 

An overall fantastic album, pure creativity and technique. Summing up the album, in over 77 minutes we find splendid guitar, keyboard, drum, and bass solos, frenetic rhythms, calm interludes, choruses accompanying Neal Morse's fantastic voice, and for drummers like me, Portnoy's double pedal… 

A curiosity about the cover: originally the sky and the airship crossing it were colored blue, but given the high number of covers released in 2000 with blue as the main color, InsideOut decided to request a change and release the cover we all know for the European market, while the blue one remained for the US version, published by MetalBlade.

How could you not recommend such a concentration of technique and creativity?!?!

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS below the article title or on the "Artists" page

Tracklist

1. All of the Above (30:59) :
- i. Full Moon Rising
- ii. October Winds
- iii. Camouflaged in Blue
- iv. Half Alive
- v. Undying Love
- vi. Full Moon Rising (reprise)
2. We All Need Some Light (5:44)
3. Mystery Train (6:51)
4. My New World (16:15)
5. In Held ('Twas) in I (17:21)

Duration 77:10

LineUp

- Neal Morse - lead vocals, keyboards, acoustic and electric guitar
- Mike Portnoy - drums, backing vocals
- Roine Stolt - electric and 12-string guitar, Mellotron, percussion, lead vocals (4, 2.3) and backing vocals
- Pete Trewavas - bass, Moog pedals, backing vocals