NMB Pulls Off 'Crazy Miracle' With New Album 'L.I.F.T.' in Just 9 Days

Secretly reunited supergroup created a fresh album in nine days despite drummer Mike Portnoy's busy Dream Theater schedule

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:35pm

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NMB, the progressive rock supergroup featuring Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Randy George, and others, has returned with a new album called 'L.I.F.T.' that was written and recorded in just nine days. The band was able to reunite and create the album despite Portnoy's commitments to Dream Theater, pulling off what Morse calls a 'crazy miracle' of an album.

Why it matters

NMB has built a reputation for creating ambitious, conceptual progressive rock albums, so the band's ability to write and record a new masterpiece in such a short timeframe is an impressive feat. The album's creation also highlights the strong creative dynamic and camaraderie within the band, as well as their commitment to delivering high-quality music to their loyal fanbase.

The details

With drummer Mike Portnoy's schedule tied up with Dream Theater, the members of NMB had only a small window of opportunity to reunite and create a new album. They decided to record at guitarist Eric Gillette's home studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which Morse says influenced the songwriting. The band wrote the 13 songs on 'L.I.F.T.' collaboratively, with Morse providing an initial outline and story arc to guide the creative process. Despite the tight timeline, the band was able to craft what Morse calls a 'miracle' of an album.

  • In January 2025, drummer Mike Portnoy contacted the band about having some free time between Dream Theater tours in April.
  • The band recorded 'L.I.F.T.' over the course of 9 days in Tulsa, Oklahoma in April 2025.

The players

Neal Morse

Vocalist, keyboardist, and guitarist for NMB, as well as a prolific solo artist and member of Spock's Beard and Transatlantic.

Mike Portnoy

Drummer for NMB who rejoined Dream Theater in 2023, leading to a new album and world tour in 2025 and 2026.

Eric Gillette

Guitarist and vocalist for NMB who was initially hesitant to participate due to his wife's pregnancy, but the band decided to record at his home studio in Tulsa.

Bill Hubauer

Keyboardist and vocalist for NMB who contributed several musical ideas and motifs to the album.

Randy George

Bassist for NMB who has played on many of Neal Morse's solo albums.

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What they’re saying

“To me, L.I.F.T. is a miracle. You're a creative person and I'm sure if you were told, 'OK, you're going to get together with these guys, with your band, and you have nine days. Not just to write it, but you want to write a masterpiece, because you don't want to come out with anything less and you certainly don't want to play anything less live,' it would be challenging.”

— Neal Morse, Vocalist, Keyboardist, Guitarist

“Mike contacted us, I think, in January of 2025. He said that he might have some time off between their tours in April, and if we wanted to do something, we should grab it.”

— Neal Morse, Vocalist, Keyboardist, Guitarist

What’s next

The band is working on scheduling live performances of the new 'L.I.F.T.' album later in 2026, though the details are still being worked out due to the members' other commitments.

The takeaway

NMB's ability to create a new progressive rock masterpiece in just nine days, despite the band members' busy schedules, is a testament to their creative chemistry, collaborative songwriting process, and commitment to delivering high-quality music to their devoted fanbase.