Nearly four decades after forming in Toronto, pioneering prog-rock band Rush soldiers on, continuing to engage fans around the globe with powerful albums and virtuoso musicianship.

The trio's 20th studio album, the steam-punk inspired concept album Clockwork Angels, debuts Tuesday and a world tour begins in July.

Bassist-singer Geddy Lee sat down with Peter Mansbridge on The National and discussed the band's enduring appeal.

"What does Rush mean to me? To me it's this little group of experimenters. We're this group of guys who want to see what we can do. It's the simplest way I can put it," Lee told CBC News.

As other groups that started out in the same era began breaking up, Lee said he and his bandmates — guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart — became intrigued with the idea of staying together.

"We wanted to see what the fruits of a long-term relationship can do. Here's a band 38 years on and we are pushing it, to see where we can go as a band."

On Tuesday, Lifeson and Lee spoke to Q about Clockwork Angels and the new confidence they bring to making music.

Prog-rock power trio Rush — (from left) Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart — releases its latest album Clockwork Angels on June 12. (Canadian Press)