The self-titled album *The Sea Within*

The group consists of:

Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings, Transatlantic and many other projects) on guitar, keyboards and vocals

Daniel Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation) as lead singer and guitarist

Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings, Kaipa and recently Karmakanic) on bass

Tom Brislin (Kansas, Yes) on keyboards and vocals

Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, The Aristocrats, Dream Theater) on drums and percussion

The album also features a few exceptional guests:

Jon Anderson (legendary voice of Yes)
Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater, Steven Wilson) on piano
Casey McPherson (Flying Colors) on vocals
Rob Townsend (Steve Hackett’s band and recently Massimo Pieretti) on saxophone

But let’s look at the story behind the record.

The album was born from an idea by Inside Out Music.  The label boss, Thomas Waber, suggested to Swedish guitarist Roine Stolt that he put together a brand-new band from scratch.

The goal was to bring together a group of talented writers and musicians to see if, by collaborating, they could create a unique, modern prog style.

Stolt jumped at the idea and immediately called bassist Jonas Reingold. Together they expanded the band, adding keyboardist Tom Brislin, drummer Marco Minnemann and singer Daniel Gildenlöw.

In September 2017, the band met at the legendary Livingston Studios in London to record without ever having met in person before that moment; until then they had only exchanged demos, ideas and files via email.

Despite the risk it might not work, in the few days spent together—between long recording sessions and evenings in local pubs—they wrote and tracked almost two hours of music.

After the main sessions in London, everyone went back to their own studio to fine-tune the details. They added layers of keyboards, extra guitars and vocal overdubs.

In this final phase, the special guests also came into play. Roine Stolt, who had already worked with Jon Anderson on the 2016 album “Invention of Knowledge”, convinced him to sing on a track.  Then Jordan Rudess, Rob Townsend and singer Casey McPherson joined in. The latter also became an official member for live shows.

The existence of the supergroup remained secret until December 2017, when the record was almost finished.  The album was officially released on June 22, 2018, followed a few weeks later by the very first concert at the German festival Night of the Prog.

Even though the members thought it would be the start of a journey, the album remained a one-off project (making this release a true one-of-a-kind for fans of the genre).

The album title and the band name, “The Sea Within”, refer to the concept behind the album.  The sea is a metaphor for the human psyche: immense, deep, seemingly calm on the surface, but in reality stirred by invisible, unpredictable currents. 

The lyrics, mainly by Roine Stolt and Daniel Gildenlöw, deal with inner conflict, exploring themes such as alienation, the search for identity and emotional fragility. 

Musically, the album moves away from the genre’s clichés.  It blends classic prog with jazz-fusion elements, powerful riffs that recall prog-metal, and easy-listening pop-rock melodic openings. The rhythm section, made up of Jonas Reingold and Marco Minnemann,  plays a key role, constantly shifting the mood of the songs. The use of complex odd time signatures and an almost “fusion” approach give the album an unpredictable energy.  In an instant it goes from distorted, aggressive walls of sound to moments driven only by Tom Brislin’s piano, or to rarefied atmospheres.

The vocals are theatrical, gritty and emotional, with Daniel Gildenlöw as the real common thread, yet they contrast perfectly with the choirs arranged by Brislin and Stolt, and with the warmer tone of Casey McPherson (on the bonus tracks). 

I have the Inside Out Music version – IOMLP 507, which includes all 12 tracks both on vinyl and in CD format in the same package, the ultimate special edition of the album. The official bonus tracks included in the edition are four: 

The Roaring Silence (8:05) 

Where Are You Going? (5:54) 

Time (7:12) 

Denise (5:16) 

“Ashes of Dawn” is a heavy prog track, with a dark tone that opens the album with a powerful impact, combining towering melodies and heavy riffs. Gildenlöw’s vocal stamp stands out right away, while Rob Townsend’s sax adds a unique touch to the sound. Roine Stolt’s guitar, with its unmistakable tone, dominates the track.  Townsend brings a truly engaging jazz-rock energy. His horns overlap with Roine Stolt’s powerful riffs, turning a dark, massive track into an exciting, unpredictable experience.

“They Know My Name” is a piece with melancholic shades and choral openings, a more reflective moment. It opens on a catchy refrain and, toward the end, features an intense guitar solo. The vocal part is beautiful, as is Brislin’s delicate work on keyboards.

“The Void” is prog in style, modern and atmospheric, and alternates moments of calm with sonic storms, driven by the pulsing bass and lyrics with a strong emotional impact. Jonas Reingold builds a solid rhythmic foundation, enhanced by Minnemann’s technical drumming.

“An Eye for an Eye for an Eye” is an energetic prog-pop track, a burst of pure energy, recalling the classic Flower Kings sound combined with that of Pain of Salvation. All the musicians shine, and Tom Brislin’s jazz-style keyboard solo fits perfectly into the piece and defines it.

“Goodbye” is a melancholic rock ballad with relaxed tones, intimate and strongly cinematic. Gildenlöw’s performance is superb, with acoustic guitars in a simple yet very refined arrangement.

“Sea Without” is an atmospheric, short and ethereal piece, rich in vocal nuances and cryptic lyrics; Brislin’s synth contribution creates enveloping soundscapes.

“Broken Cord” is an epic prog rock track of over 14 minutes, the beating heart of the album. It ranges from pop-rock sections to almost minimalist soundscapes, in a complex, varied journey full of time changes. Marco Minnemann is the real star, with superb technique and powerful drumming, especially in his use of double bass.  The legendary lead voice of Yes makes a special appearance; his angelic, unmistakable timbre brings a touch of ’70s “classic prog” to the more melodic sections, creating a very particular contrast with Daniel Gildenlöw’s grittier vocal parts.

“The Hiding of Truth” is a sweet, enveloping acoustic ballad that closes the main album with a warm, positive atmosphere. The choral arrangements are excellent, and the ending, dominated by piano and enveloping vocal harmonies, leaves a sense of hope. The Dream Theater keyboardist, known for his futuristic synthesizers and technical wizardry, takes a break for a truly special acoustic performance.  His piano, the absolute protagonist, accompanies the ballad with classical elegance and a harmonic depth that recalls an orchestra.

Bonus Tracks

“The Roaring Silence” is an energetic prog-rock track, with strong funk and jazz influences.  A real gem that would fit perfectly on the main record. It starts out ethereal and then bursts into a driving rock groove.  Tight percussion and fluid bass lines alternate with virtuoso exchanges between guitar and keyboards.

“Where Are You Going?” is a pop song with a melancholic, electronic touch. Written jointly by Brislin and Gildenlöw, it revolves around processed vocals and enveloping riffs, building until it becomes an intense ballad. The vocal collaboration is excellent and the keyboard parts have a retro-prog flavor.

“Time” is a ballad with dark atmospheres reminiscent of King Crimson, rich in emotional vocal arrangements. Gildenlöw’s voice is heartbreaking and expressive, well supported by the guitar’s dark textures and the rhythm section.

“Denise” is a dramatic rock song, telling the story of a man saying goodbye to his partner from prison. The sound is dominated by the almost orchestral Mellotron and by a slightly distorted voice that heightens the sense of despair and regret.

Casey McPherson is a key presence on this record, almost as if he were an added member of the band. His voice is warm and powerful. In the songs where he sings, he manages to soften the more complex prog passages, making the album more accessible and moving, and for this reason he later took Daniel Gildenlöw’s place during live concerts, since Daniel could not take part in the tours.

This album is an example of top-tier modern prog. It’s not simply a union of talented musicians. Minnemann and Reingold’s rhythmic work is simply monumental, while the interplay between Stolt’s guitars and Brislin’s keyboards creates sound textures rich in nuance.

Daniel Gildenlöw’s voice is the real ace up the sleeve.  He can move from delicate whispers to powerful rock moments, giving a soul to lyrics that would otherwise be only complex.

The sound is fresh, clean and powerful. The inclusion of Jon Anderson and Jordan Rudess is done tastefully and integrated into the structure of the songs without ever feeling like a mere commercial gimmick. The album doesn’t just rehash classic “retro-prog”, but moves with ease between art-rock, pop hints, heavy moments and acoustic ballads, keeping interest high track after track.

In some places, especially in the Broken Cord suite, the band gives in to the genre’s typical temptation to cram in too many ideas at once. This can make the first listen a bit demanding.  With strong, well-defined personalities inside it (Stolt’s Flower Kings touch and Gildenlöw’s dark Pain of Salvation vibe), the album sometimes seems to struggle between two different souls instead of fusing them into a single new identity. Beautiful experiment, unique. Excellent!

My Version

Label: Inside Out Music – IOMLP 507, Sony Music – 19075854591
Format:
2 x Vinyl, LP, Album
2 x CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 22 Jun 2018

Tracklist

A1        Ashes Of Dawn    6:00
A2        They Know My Name    5:10
A3        The Void    4:55
A4        An Eye For An Eye For An Eye    7:00
B1        Goodbye    5:30
B2        Broken Cord    14:20
C1        Sea Without    2:27
C2        The Hiding Of Truth    5:30
C3        The Roaring Silence    8:00
D1        Where Are You Going?    5:50
D2        Time    7:12
D3        Denise    5:10
CD1-1        Ashes Of Dawn    5:59
CD1-2        They Know My Name    5:09
CD1-3        The Void    4:53
CD1-4        An Eye For An Eye For An Eye    7:01
CD1-5        Goodbye    5:31
CD1-6        Sea Without    2:23
CD1-7        Broken Cord    14:10
CD1-8        The Hiding Of Truth    5:35
CD2-1        The Roaring Silence    8:04
CD2-2        Where Are You Going?    5:54
CD2-3        Time    7:18
CD2-4        Denise    5:16 

LineUp

Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals, Effects [Orchestral FX] – Roine Stolt
Bass – Jonas Reingold
Drums, Percussion, Vocals, Guitar – Marco Minnemann
Grand Piano – Jordan Rudess (tracks: C2, CD1-8)
Lead Vocals, Electric Guitar – Daniel Gildenlöw
Piano, Organ, Synthesizer, Vocals – Tom Brislin
Tenor Saxophone – Rob Townsend (3) (tracks: A1, CD1-1)
Vocals – Casey McPherson (tracks: B1, B2, C2, CD1-5, CD1-6, CD1-8), Jon Anderson (tracks: B2, CD1-7)

Listening links on the main streaming platforms at the following links:

Spotify: You can listen to the full album on the page The Sea Within (Deluxe Edition) on Spotify.

Apple Music: The album is available via the band's profile on the page The Sea Within on Apple Music.

Deezer: Streaming is available in the dedicated section The Sea Within on Deezer.

Note: All links to the musicians’ works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists"