In a surprise announcement that has thrilled progressive rock and guitar virtuoso fans alike, legendary British jazz-rock band Colosseum and the iconic guitarist Steve Vai have officially revealed they are teaming up for a collaborative studio album. The project, titled “Time Spiral”, is set to release worldwide on November 15, 2025, through Universal Music.
This marks the first-ever collaboration between the pioneering 1970s fusion group and Vai, the genre-defying guitarist known for his work with Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, and a prolific solo career spanning four decades. According to the artists, the album will fuse the improvisational jazz-rock roots of Colosseum with Vai’s experimental, high-octane guitar style, pushing the boundaries of progressive music.
“Working with Colosseum is like stepping into a time machine and a spacecraft at the same time,” Vai said in a press statement. “They’ve always defied convention, and we’re using this album to do something bold—melodically rich, rhythmically adventurous, and emotionally deep.”
The recording sessions took place across multiple iconic studios, including Abbey Road Studios in London and Vai’s Harmony Hut in Los Angeles. The lineup features surviving original Colosseum members Dave Greenslade and Chris Farlowe, alongside a handpicked ensemble of contemporary musicians who bring a fresh energy to the classic Colosseum sound.
The album is expected to blend intricate instrumentals, vintage organ textures, Vai’s soaring guitar lines, and even spoken-word elements that reflect on time, memory, and artistic evolution. Tracks such as “Celestial Gears,” “Echoes of the Forum,” and the 12-minute epic “Eternal Spiral” have been teased as ambitious compositions that reflect both the complexity and emotional range of the collaboration.
Greenslade commented, “Steve is a marvel—technically brilliant, yes, but more importantly, he understands feel. We didn’t want to just jam. We wanted to tell a story across sound, and I think we’ve done just that.”
To support the release, a limited world tour is also in the works for early 2026, with a debut live performance at Royal Albert Hall already confirmed. The live shows promise a dynamic mix of new material and reimagined versions of Colosseum classics, with Vai adding his unmistakable flair.
“Time Spiral” represents not only a historic collaboration but also a revitalization of progressive rock for a new generation. Pre-orders for the album begin July 10, with exclusive vinyl pressings and signed bundles available through the official artist websites.
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