ALBUM REVIEW: Liquid Tension Experiment – LT3



It’s been twenty-two years since Liquid Tension Experiment, the Progressive Metal supergroup formed by Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, The Winery Dogs) John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Tony Levin (King Crimson), released a record after their critically acclaimed album Liquid Tension 2 (Magna Carta). In this new album entitled LT3 (InsideOut Music) these musicians prove once again why they are part of the biggest bands in the genre and why they are considered to be among the best in their respective instruments and their craft. 

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Liquid Tension Experiment Shares New Teaser with a New Song!


As we previously broke the news that broke the metal interwebz this week, Liquid Tension Experiment are back! They have a new label and a new album ready to drop, after signing with InsideOutMusic for the release of their 3rd album. The album is set for a Spring 2021 release, 22 years after the bands’ last studio album. The legendary supergroup comprised of Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, Sons of Apollo), John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), and Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel) has signed with InsideOutMusic for the release of their 3rd album. The album is set for a Spring 2021 release, 22 years after the bands’ last studio album. The band has released a new teaser trailer, created by Christian Rios, which you can see here:

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Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) Teases a New Liquid Tension Experiment Album 


Progressive music fans rejoice! Long missed supergroup Liquid Tension Experiment, featuring Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci of Dream Theater, former Dream Theater co-founder Mike Portnoy, and prog-rock legend Tony Levin of King Crimson is a go! Jordan posted a picture of the members all together wearing masks that spells out “LTE3.” In a 2019 interview with Jordan promoting his solo album and a new Dream Theater album, he told Ghost Cult it would happen when the time is right. It would seem the pandemic is that time for their first new album in 20 years! Check out the post and our interview with Jordan below. 

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Transatlantic Detail New Album “The Absolute Universe” with New Teaser Trailer


Progressive Rock Supergroup Transatlantic has announced a new album, their fifth, The Absolute Universe’, set for release on February 5th, 2021 via InsideOut Music. The band is comprised of legends Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt & Pete Trewavas, it will be the band’s first new music since 2014’s ‘Kaleidoscope’, with ‘The Absolute Universe’ the band have done something unique and created two versions of the record: ‘The Absolute Universe: The Breath Of Life (Abridged Version)’ & ‘The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (Extended Version)’. Watch the teaser trailer now!Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: John Petrucci – Terminal Velocity



I want to open this review by saying that the talent and obvious skills of all the musicians involved in this record is undeniable, these are musicians that have been proving over and over again why they are recognized as some of the top artists in their genre and why they have the following they have. Having said that, this solo album by John Petrucci (Dream Theater) was not for me. And though we can argue that this kind of album is for a specific sector in the Progressive Metal realm, I truly cannot digest music that is made to show off the skills that “x” or “y” musician has in their instrument and that is my perception of Terminal Velocity (Sound Mind Music/The Orchard).

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Watch Mike Portnoy and Stu Hamm Cover Rush’s “YYZ” for David Z Fundraiser


Progressive Music legend  Mike Portnoy (Sons Of Apollo, Dream Theater) has teamed up with bassist Stu Hamm, guitarist Paulie Z and keyboardist Walter Ino to record a cover version of the RUSH classic “YYZ”, filmed while they were in quarantine. The clip was premiered this past Tuesday (July 14) as part of the David Z Foundation’s third annual fundraising campaign livestream. This past January, Portnoy shot down rumors that he will tour with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson as the replacement for late RUSH drummer Neil Peart. Peart died on January 10th. Watch the clip here.Continue reading


Mike Portnoy, Dee Snider, Chris Jericho, Ray Luzier, John Moyer, and More to Raise Money for The David Z Foundation Livestream Tonight


Stars from across Rock and Metal will join together on a livestream to raise money tonight on the David Z Foundation Livestream. David Z (David Zablidowsky) was the brilliant metal and progressive rock musician best known for his work in bands such as Adrenaline Mob, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and ZO2, died three years ago on July 17th, 2017 when a tractor-trailer collided with Adrenaline Mob’s tour bus. Check out the updated poster from Mike Portnoy’s tweet below. You can donate at the GoFundM link below and watch the live stream including artists ranging from Mike Portnoy, Dee Snider, Chris Jericho, Ray Luzier (Korn), John Moyer (Disturbed) Rikki Rockett, Don Dokken, Richie Kotzen, Billy Sheehan, Jeff Scott Soto, Carmine Appice, Eddie Trunk, Marco Mendoza, Joel Hoekstra, Tiffany, John Pooper, Alex Skolnik, Charlie Benante, Dug Pinnick, Ra Diaz and more! Continue reading


Listen to Mike Portnoy’s Isolated Acapella Version of The Beatles’ “Because”


 

Mike Portnoy (Sons of Apollo, Neal Morse Band, Flying Circus, ex Dream Theater) has been a busy guy during the coronavirus quarantine. He just shared his contribution to an as-yet to be unreleased acapella cover of The Beatles classic “Because” from Abby Road. The final track will include his Sons of Apolla bandmates Jeff Scott Soto, and Bumblefoot! 

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Watch Jordan Rudess Celebrate America with “The Star-Spangled Banner” 


To celebrate Independence Day today, Dream Theater keyboardist and progressive music genius Jordan Rudess has shared an instrumental cover of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” The United States National Anthem. Rudess recently launched a Patreon you can follow here.Continue reading


PODCAST: Episode #107 – Neal Morse on “Cover 2 Cover” Pt. 3 and His New Solo Album


Ghost Cult caught up with progressive music legend Neal Morse (Neal Morse Band, Transatlantic, Spock’s Beard) recently over Zoom to discuss his upcoming new covers album Cover 3 Cover (InsideOut Music), his third such album with his frequent collaborators Mike Portnoy and Randy George. The new album is releasing at the same time as a new collection of all three. Neal chatted extensively about the project, his personal take on covers, the mystery of the secret Sax Man in the ‘Baker Street’ video, how all the cover songs were chosen, how he approaches songcraft for his different projects, his upcoming Sola Gratia solo Progressive Rock concept album, what Morsefest looks like during the pandemic, future projects and his entire catalog appearing on the new Waterfall music streaming app from Radiant Records. Purchase and support all of Neal’s projects at this link and check out our chat. Continue reading