"Tormato" is the ninth studio album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released on September 22, 1978, by Atlantic Records. It marked the last album featuring iconic singer Jon Anderson and keyboardist Rick Wakeman before their departures in 1980.
Following the tour for their previous album, Going for the One (1977), the band faced several challenges during the recording process, including internal disputes over the musical direction and the departure of engineer Eddy Offord early in the sessions, which led them to produce the album themselves.
Despite a mixed critical reception, Tormato achieved commercial success, reaching No. 8 in the UK and No. 10 in the US, where it became the band's fastest-selling album, earning platinum certification within two months. The singles "Release, Release" and "Don't Kill the Whale" were released, with "Release, Release" being a Canadian exclusive and "Don't Kill the Whale" peaking at No. 36 in the UK.
The subsequent 1978–1979 tour featured innovative performances on a central revolving stage, marking a significant shift in their live shows. In 2004, Tormato was remastered, including previously unreleased tracks from the recording sessions.
In December 1977, the Yes lineup—Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Steve Howe, Alan White, and Rick Wakeman—concluded their tour supporting Going for the One, which had marked a return to commercial success, reaching No. 1 in the UK and producing the top-10 single "Wonderous Stories." After an exhausting 84-date tour, the band took a brief hiatus.
They reconvened in mid-February 1978 at Sound Associates in London to begin writing and rehearsing material for a new studio album. Much of the music for Tormato was developed during soundchecks and rehearsals from the previous tour, reflecting the band’s focus on fresh ideas rather than revisiting older material.
Initially, there were plans to release Tormato in two parts—one in July 1978 and another by Christmas, with the latter set to be completed in Barbados. However, this plan did not materialize, resulting in a single album release instead. The working title for the album was Eleventh Illusion, which alluded to the band’s intention to incorporate illusions into their live performances.
