Undaunted, he formed the quirkily-named Spock’s Beard with his brother, Alan. They recorded The Light with what money they could scrape together. Against all odds, it was a breakout success, sending shockwaves through the small genre’s community.
Over the next 10 years, Spock’s Beard released 10 critically acclaimed CDs and 2 DVDs, ascending to the top of the prog world. Neal also released 6 CDs and 3 DVDs with Transatlantic, the heralded prog supergroup comprised of the genre’s best musicians.
The proverbial wayward son, Neal had finally found the success he sought. On the outside he seemed to have it all. On the inside, however, something was missing.
Morse came to realize that for him, embracing the Christian faith was the fulfillment of his spiritual quest. His walk was at once gradual and sudden—and as with so many, completely unexpected. As he continued, his path increasingly revealed more of what his heart had sought all along. Yet he also began to find his career growing at odds with his faith. The rising spiritual tension and increasing commercial success finally came to a head with the release of Snow (2002), the group’s magnum opus...and swan song with Morse.
The extraordinary 2-CD rock opera, composed by Morse, was widely acclaimed as the group’s finest. But it was the end of the era. Neal felt God calling him out of his former musical life and into the unknown. He made the agonizing decision to leave both Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic. Despite having finally achieved the success he had long sought, Morse had to begin all over again; musically, emotionally and spiritually.
Neal then embarked upon the most ambitious musical project of his career. Entitled Testimony (2003), it chronicles his spiritual and musical journey in words and music. The 2 CD set spans over two hours as one continuous piece of music. Genre-wise, it ranges from a gospel choir to hard rock; from symphony orchestra to contemporary pop. Testimony was also Neal’s first of many albums with drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). A deftly woven musical tapestry, Testimony takes the listener on a fascinating journey as unique as the man behind it.
The ensuing world tour was captured on one unforgettable night for the 2-DVD set, Testimony Live (2004). Morse was recognized as a remarkably passionate and engaging performer by England’s Classic Rock Magazine, who included him in their “100 Greatest Frontmen of Rock” listing. The tour was awarded “Best Rock Tour” from the popular Dutch website, DPRP, besting nominees Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, RUSH and others.
Morse’s next studio album was a conceptual, progressive rock album entitled One. Mike Portnoy returned to perform on drums (in what is regarded as perhaps his finest performance), with up-and-coming bassist Randy George. They were joined by legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. The result was a band-focused sound, harkening back to Neal’s Transatlantic work. Continuing in the tradition of Snow and Testimony, One proved epic in scope and sublime in nature.
For Morse’s third progressive rock album, he took a new approach, artistically. On Question (2005), Morse weaves a compelling storyline that owes as much to C.S. Lewis as Indiana Jones. His journey is a timeless quest—to find the biblical dwelling place of God. Joining Neal are more of prog’s brightest stars, including Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Roine Stolt (Flower Kings, Transatlantic) and Steve Hackett (Genesis).
Bringing Question to the stage required an outstanding tour band. Fusing technical wizardry with musical nuance, a young band of unknowns proved themselves in the fire of Question’s musical rollercoaster. The audience responded with energy and passion, with the experience captured on CD. Unrestrained, raw, and magnificent, the resulting 2 CD set Question: Live (2007) was to be further unveiled on the DVD, Sola Sciptura & Beyond.
Neal's next prog epic was his most daring, stirring passions and controversy. On Sola Scriptura (2007), Morse tells a compelling and sometimes macabre tale of the darkness that inevitably falls when humankind tries to elevate itself to God. Focusing on the Church in the Middle Ages, Morse is unflinching in his description of its abuses. Neal frames the issue as just one example of faith separated from its true foundations. The album closes not with an end but a beginning—for us to consider our world, and feel called to illuminate it.
Question and Sola Scriptura were received as Neal’s best to date, and the ensuing tours were captured on film. The ensuing release, Sola Scriptura & Beyond (2008) was an extraordinary live concert 2-DVD set that brought both albums to life. Also included were generous selections from One and Testimony, a Transatlantic section, five songs from Spock’s Beard, and an hour of behind-the-scenes tour footage.
Less than three months later, Neal completed Lifeline (2008), his next studio album. Unlike his other releases, Lifeline wasn't a concept album. Free from this constraint, Neal stretched out in all directions. He revisited early Spock’s Beard, Snow, Transatlantic, his solo releases, and launched into new territory. Joining him once again were Mike Portnoy and Randy George. It was the album that fans of Neal and progressive rock the world over had waited for. Press coverage of the album reached from some of Europe's biggest mainstream music publications, to Rolling Stone in Mexico.
Twelve years after The Light, Neal continues to blaze new creative trails. In 2009, he shines brighter than ever in the next remarkable chapter in Neal's musical journey.
Entrance
Neal Morse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whose tongue's a sharp-edged tool [Rev 1:16]
With feet like burning brass [Rev 1:15]
“Come”, he says, “I’ll be your guide of sorts [Psa 43:3]
Into the outer courts
I have made a way [John 14:6]
to come into the gate [Heb 9:24]
To the weakest ones
I will give my strength [Isa 40:29]
And the lowest ones,
they will be brought higher [Isa 40:4]
Let the unclean ones
be washed in the fire” [Mal 3:3]
I am afraid I’ll stay where I am
But the Spirit takes my hand
and gently leads me in [Rev 4:2]
There is the laver; He drops me in the bath
It’s like a sweet heart attack [Rom 8:11]
And I hear his voice again......
Let the unclean ones come into the gate
To the weakest ones I will give my strength
And the lowest ones, they will be brought higher
Let the unclean ones be washed in the fire
Sweet elation come on, come on
I’m part of the Holy Nation [1 Pet 2:9]
And the past is forever gone
Wash and see the looking glass [Ex 38:8]
Second heaven’s coming fast
Seven candles so bright, so right [Rev 1:13]
The incense burns on the mantle [Rev 8:3]
As we eat the bread of life [Num 4:7, John 6:35]
And in third heaven’s Holy Grail [2 Cor 12:2]
Awaits behind the final veil [Ex 26:33]
After all with our backs against the wall
We seek the temple of the living God
After all with our backs against the wall
We seek the temple of the living God
We seek the temple of the living God
The song Entrance by Neal Morse is a reflection of the visionary experience of St. John the Divine in his book of Revelation. The opening lines outline the man that John saw in his vision who was Jesus Christ. The description of his hair as white as wool and his tongue as a sharp-edged tool is derived from Revelation Chapter 1, which is a description of Jesus Christ. The burning brass feet are again a description of Jesus from the same chapter. The man in John's vision tells him that he will be taken to the outer courts and be his guide. The outer courts were the place where only Jews could enter but using the Bible verses from that particular chapter, the man describes how everyone can come into the gate irrespective of how weak, low or unclean they may be. They would be washed in the fire and given strength by him to be brought higher.
The singer is initially scared of moving from where he is but with the help of the Spirit, he is taken in and washed in the laver. The sweet heart attack is possibly the feeling of being cleansed and rejuvenated in the presence of God. He is then a part of the Holy Nation and the past is forever gone. He is asked to wash and see the looking glass which is a symbolism of introspection and examining oneself to ensure that one has truly been cleansed. The final section indicates the seven candles, the incense, and the bread of life are all symbolic of third heaven's Holy Grail which awaits behind the final veil. The song ends with a declaration that in spite of all adversities, the temple of the living God would be sought.
Line by Line Meaning
I see a man with hair as white as wool
I see a divine figure, with a glorious head of hair.
Whose tongue's a sharp-edged tool
Whose words are powerful and piercing.
With feet like burning brass
Whose steps are unyielding and fierce.
“Come”, he says, “I’ll be your guide of sorts
He invites me to follow him as my leader.
Into the outer courts
To the space outside the holy place.
I have made a way
He has prepared a path for me to follow.
For the unclean ones to come into the gate
Even those who are impure have a way to enter.
To the weakest ones I will give my strength
Those who are vulnerable will be strengthened.
And the lowest ones, they will be brought higher
The humble will be exalted.
Let the unclean ones be washed in the fire
Those who need cleansing will undergo a purifying process.
I am afraid I’ll stay where I am
I feel trapped and stuck.
But the Spirit takes my hand
The Holy Spirit leads me forward.
and gently leads me in
Guiding me with kindness and care.
There is the laver; He drops me in the bath
I am cleansed and washed in a sacred basin.
It’s like a sweet heart attack
It feels like a powerful and transformative experience.
And I hear his voice again......
I am comforted by his familiar voice.
Sweet elation come on, come on
Emotions of deep joy and happiness.
I’m part of the Holy Nation
I am part of a community of believers.
And the past is forever gone
My previous mistakes and sins no longer define me.
Wash and see the looking glass
Cleanse yourself and take a long, hard look at who you are.
Second heaven’s coming fast
The promise of an eternal afterlife.
Seven candles so bright, so right
The symbol of perfection and completeness.
The incense burns on the mantle
The aroma of prayers and offerings.
As we eat the bread of life
Sharing in the sacred communion.
And in third heaven’s Holy Grail
The ultimate reward of heaven.
Awaits behind the final veil
The final barrier to be crossed on the way to heaven.
After all with our backs against the wall
In our most difficult moments.
We seek the temple of the living God
We turn to the divine for comfort and strength.
Contributed by Lucy Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DesertEagle97531
Yes! I recently got the "? Live" album and the performance absolutely blew me away! Neal's speech during this song was great too and the audience really came alive!
brinkwerks
some of the best symphonic rock i've ever heard. and glorifying God. doesn't get much better than that.
Keith Kosmal
Sweet elation come on, come on I'm part of the Holy Nation [1 Pet 2:9] And the past is forever gone Insanely powerful lyrics from here on out in this song. This album features some of Neal's best lyrics to date.
DJewel Coles
I just learned about Neal on my satellite radio, awesome and I love the Tabernacle Cover.
oOweirdoOo
You should hear the live version on "? LIVE". It's even more amazing! Neal gives a nice speech during the song :). You can't find it on youtube tho :/
#1 guy
god is good