ProgressoR - Detailed Reviews - Pallas - 1998

Prologue. This is my first aquaintance with Pallas. Earlier, I've read about this band in Gibraltar, not to mention some progressive rock sites. Most critics consider Pallas as a mediocre, on the whole, Neo band... So, sad to think, I was deceived by that online Encyclopedia more than once, as well as by these (the same!) progressive rock sites. So, sad to learn that "thanks" to them all I avoided one of the most important (does it mean one of the best? I think so, though) progressive rock bands ever appeared in the "dark decade" (of the '80s, of course). Sad to say, I have avoided it up to now.

The Album. I don't even know how I can write about each song on this album separately - there are eleven songs here, each a real killer. Just recently I wrote that Yoke Shire's "Masque of Shadows" (such a special) album must be a stage, an impulse to the return of a really obvious interest in Progressive Music like it was in the good old years... Now I only can say the same words - with the only exception, though - the step forward towards the general public was done by Pallas, too, but it was done even a year before by Yoke Shire.

The 72 minute album is full of excellent music that combines in itself beautiful melodies and quite profound arrangements, or better to say, the music of Pallas is full of catchy melodies. Whether it's Neo Prog or not, it absolutely doesn't matter, because this is the Music of Inspiration - very mature music. By the way, don't look here for any analogies (I don't mean stylistical analogies, of course) with other bands, all you'll find is exceptional originality. Remember how original were (and still are) Yes, King Crimson, Jethro Tull - Pallas' music is of the same kind of maturity, though more accessible. Their music is like a bridge between two coasts... Do you understand what I mean? I hope so.

I am also amazed at a really "deep" proGfessionalism of the Pallas musicians. They well know what they do! Each of these five musicians shows really a highest level of professionalism. It is such a pleasure to listen how they play together (I mean "general" arrangements) and separately (I mean solos by the main soloists - guitarist and keyboardist) in the accompaniment of their friends playing! The rhythm-section works like a watch mechanism. It's a Kingdom of Harmony! As for the vocalist, I enjoyed Alan Reed's abilities no less than these of Jon Anderson or Steve Walsh. I'll even dare to say, there are by far not many singers on the current progressive scene with the level of Alan: his singing is a whole song, a whole "separate" story. Need I say more? Just listen more attentively to what he is able "to do" with his voice!

Summary. Well, I'm writing and enjoying: such a favorable review on "Beat the drum" I'm doing. But this album more than simply deserves it! So, it wasn't hard, listening to the Pallas, to find that this is a unique yet quite underrated from the direction of "progressive" reviewers band. I'm glad to make sure that these days we have bands like Pallas that can broaden the horizons of progressive rock, in the way Pink Floyd did it in the '70s. Therefore, Pallas has done enough to go into the history of rock music for all time.

VM. May 5, 2000