InsideOut Music [Release date 27.11.26]

‘River of Light’ is the second album released by Neal Morse & The Resonance, following on from 2024’s ‘No Hill For A Climber’. Although that initial release raised a few eyebrows, mainly around Morse’s decision to use what were perceived to be lesser known musicians, the album was well received by fans and critics alike.

Following a series of successful live dates it was no surprise to hear that the band were keen to get back in the studio. The line up for this new album has had a couple of significant changes though, with bass player Chris Riley dropping out (Morse handles all the bass on the album) while Nathan Girard joins Morse on keys. The rest of the band remains stable with Jonny Bisaha on guitar and, sharing vocals with Morse, Andre Madatian handling the bulk of the lead guitar work while Philip Martin retains his spot on the drum stool.

There’s a clear understanding here that everyone has contributed to the writing process, with Morse acknowledging in particular the contributions of Bisaha and Madatian with the ‘youngsters’ helping to bring so much material to the table that at one point a double album seemed to be on the cards. For me, the decision not to follow that path was absolutely correct. The end result is 12 tracks, mostly coming in under 6 minutes along with two ten minute epics and a myriad of frankly bizarre time signatures which should satisfy the sternest Prog Rock aficionado. Having said that there’s a seamless flow, lyrically and musically, track to track, across the almost 70 minutes of music giving the compositional feel of a classical suite.

Fans of the former Spock’s Beard man will not be surprised to learn there is a biblical concept to this new release, which focuses on the journey taken by Terah, Abraham’s father, towards the promised land. As Morse explains, ‘Terah signifies someone who begins a journey with God but gets tired and allows sadness and resignation to keep them from going all the way. However, his son completes the journey.’

The album begins with ‘Opening (River of Light)’ which following a plaintive opening vocal line of, ‘I don’t know where I am going, but I feel I must go. The day’s begun’, is, in effect, an overture as the various musical themes are introduced before a moody string and guitar motif heralds ‘The Sorrow’ and the story proper begins, with that earlier vocal line repeated. Some lovely choppy guitar riffing, with a counterpoint of brass under Morse’s impassioned vocal. ‘The Ashes’ is a real rocker, allowing Madatian to let rip alongside some Hammondesque organ with another powerful vocal over the top. Once again, this flows smoothly into the relatively short ‘The Movement’, dominating keyboards and lush vocal harmonies and, last but by no means least, a bonkers ending! Next up, ‘The Time (To Be Timeless)’ another short, but lush tune, acoustic guitars and gorgeous harmony vocals to the fore and more organ to close into ‘The Second Movement’, picking up the tempo again, with almost discordant guitar riffing.

‘The Calling’ is the first of the ten minute epics. Lyrically it is Terah admitting he has reached the end of his own personal journey, ‘I can’t here my calling anymore’. In fairness it’s an epic by numbers, a quiet stripped back start, building through the vocal section, reaching a crescendo with more excellent guitar work from Madatian and a breakdown to what you think is going to be a fading end before the guitars rise again but, that’s the way it should be, right?

First single, ‘Walk On Water’, a 90s rocker, harmonised guitar parts and multiple tracked vocals typical of Morse, ‘Shine Until Tomorrow’ with more than a hint of Rush about the arrangement and a wonderful lead vocal from Jonny Bisaha then ‘Haran (The Place Between)’ another short collection of crazy rhythms.

‘Cascading Skies’ is another collection of time signatures to make you think and, a masterclass from drummer Philip Martin who, for the record is excellent throughout.

The album closes with the incredible, grandiose full power rock of ‘River of Light’, at over ten minutes a symphonic movement in its own right. I’m pretty sure the kitchen sink is in there somewhere as Morse and the band throw everything they have into the mix. A tremendous way to end the album.

As always, if you are a fan of Morse’s music you know exactly what you are going to get but there is much to admire here for every rock and prog fan. It’s a masterful, cinematic soundtrack produced by a group of extremely talented musicians under the watchful eye of their master and is a joy to listen to. I really hope they chose to tour this in the UK because it will sound incredible live.

I cannot recommend this enough! **** ½

Review by Neil Pudney

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Josh now hosts “Taerk’s Tracks” as part of the Singer Songwriter Sunday sequence on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.

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Power Plays w/c 26 October 2026

BLACK RIVER DELTA Shame On You (Despotz Records)
DAYTONA Listen To The Silence (Escape Music)
SUCKERTRAP Sacred Lies (indie)
WOOD BURNT RED Count My Blessings (indie)
BLACKLIST UNION Heavy Is The Crown (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 26 October 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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