Next to the concept album, few things are more beloved by the progressive rock fan than the sprawling, multi-part epic – a form that has long defined the genre’s ambition, creativity, and refusal to conform. From the classic side-long suites of the 1970s like Close to the Edge or Supper’s Ready to modern-day masterpieces like A Change of Seasons, these extended compositions have served as the ultimate canvas for storytelling, virtuosity, and sonic exploration. In the past decade and a half, many notable prog artists have continued this grand tradition. Artists like Neal Morse, The Flower Kings, and Haken have multiple long epics tracks, many near or above 30 minutes in length. Here, we highlight, in chronological order, 15 of the most compelling progressive rock songs over 15 minutes in length from the last 15 years – journeys that remind us why prog’s long-form expression remains so beloved.
In Chronological Order:
1. 2011 – Neal Morse – Seeds of Gold (26:02) – Few artists have composed as many 15-minute-plus epics as Neal Morse, who in some cases has produced albums with more than one of these lengthy numbers. It’s hard to argue which of his many long masterpieces is the best, but for many fans this epic from Disc 2 of Testimony 2 is at, or near, the top. The song begins with a wonderfully intricate piano section recalling early Spock’s songs like “The Doorway,” before usual cohorts Randy George and Mike Portnoy join in to bring the song to life, eventually leading to a blistering guitar solo by Steve Morse (before they became bandmates in Flying Colors) near the end. “Seeds of Gold” is an absolute masterpiece of a track and a worthy start to this list.
2. 2011 – Haken – Visions (22:25) – Having already showcased their ability to craft a captivating epic on their debut album Aquarius, newcomers Haken took things up a notch their second album, the conceptual Visions, further establishing themselves as a band to watch. It would take their 3rd album The Mountain to see the band’s popularity explode, but the title track from this album still stands as a classic in the modern Prog era and is one of the band’s most beloved tracks, bridging numerous influences and their own unique approach. The songs claims “I bet you don’t remember me,” but indeed we do!
3. 2012 – The Flower Kings – Numbers (25:27) – The Flower Kings, led by Roine Stolt, have produced many incredible epic tracks in their long career, which has reached 17 albums by 2025. Their 11th album Banks of Eden came after a 5 year hiatus for the band, the longest break the band had taken since its inception. But they came back with a vengeance, kicking off the album with this 25-minute masterpiece that reignited the band and kicked off another period of amazing music.
4. 2013 – Big Big Train – East Coast Racer (15:43) – A sweeping tribute to British railway innovation, this cinematic track became the signature track for Big Big Train since its release in 2013, just as the band was starting to experience a growth in their popularity. “She flys,” sung by the great David Longdon during the middle climactic section is one of the great moments of the last 15 years, while the performances throughout by all the musicians in the band are just magnificent. It is a true journey of a song that never disappoints.
5. 2014 – Transatlantic – Into the Blue (25:13) – Transatlantic returned in 2014 with their 4th album Kaleidoscope, which featured two tracks over 25 minutes, but it is this opening track that is another home run by a band that practically writes more epics than they do shorter-length tracks. Neal Morse, Roine Stolt, Pete Trewavas, and Mike Portnoy already had created some of the genre’s best long-epics in recent years, and this one stands up with those. Pain of Salvation’s Daniel Gildenlow features in the song’s middle section, making it even more memorable. Following some outstanding instrumental sections, the song closes in true Transatlantic fashion, with a soaring reprise of the song’s chorus.
6. 2015 – Spock’s Beard – Falling For Forever (20:02) – In the mid-90s, Spock’s Beard, led by Neal Morse, delivered a stunning debut album built around 3 long songs, which helped contribute to the renaissance of the Prog epic. Following Neal’s departure from the band, and later Nick D’Virgilio leaving, Spock’s would continue with Ted Leonard on vocals, as well as Jimmy Keegan on drums. This amazing 20-minute song, included in the band’s greatest hits package, incorporates all 7 members, past and present, in Spock’s Beard, including Neal, Nick, and Ted on vocals. It was also performed live at Morsefest as the encore track when all the members reunited to perform the album Snow. Doesn’t get more epic than that.
7. 2016 – Karmakanic – God and the Universe (23:46) – The band formed in 2002 by bassist Jonas Reingold released the album DOT in 2016 after a 5-year break. Filled with melodic and rhythmic complexity, peaks and troughs, highs and lows, weight and light, stabs, rests, solos, and surprises, the song has everything, while each passage is new and musically fulfilling. Reingold’s signature sound and Edman’s immediately recognizable voice make this an essential Prog epic.
8. 2017 – Caligula’s Horse – Graves (15:31) The 4th studio album from Australia’s Caligula’s Horse is a great album all around but the album closer is easily the standout track. The band’s longest song is also one of the most beloved and has been a show closer since its release. The epic ambitiously explores existence through philosophical themes, melodic shifts, jazzy improvisation, and symphonic rock. Meanwhile, the outstanding saxophone refrain is only surpassed by the chant “Hands Shape Stone,” which, live, is as powerful a moment as there is.
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