THE BLINDING DARKNESS

Well, consider me a fan. I had owned their debut on a vinyl for years, but it never really clicked with me. This live from 2003 album does. Pallas hadn't even released its highest rated record 'Dreams of Men' yet. Along with Arena's brilliant 'Live & Life' and Kayak's 'Live 2019' this live album by Pallas must be one of my favorite neo-prog live albums. The band sounds thick, magical - almost otherworldly on this impressive double cd. Furthermore, the band has its own place in the neo-progressive genre. Whereas Marillion is more sentimental and lyrical and IQ more sci-fi and abstract, Pallas sounds a bit more gothic and mysterious. The Rickenbacker bass is punchy, the drums are energetic - almost fierce - and the twin guitars create thick staccato riffs that remind a bit of Arena's style on the 'Contagion' album. The lead guitar remind me of Steve Rothery on the 'Clutching at Straws' album, with those wild vibrato's and intense fast runs. The symphonic sounds by keyboardist Ronnie Brown are the most thick I've ever heard on a live album. The vocals of guitarist Alan Reed are emotive and a bit fragile, but his choice of melodies is very strong throughout. He has that ability to instantly grab the listener (not unlike Fish), like he does on the intimate verses of 'For The Greater Glory'. I never heard any of these songs on the first cd before and I'm surprised by how spot on they all are. Perhaps they aren't that much more sophisticated than songs of other bands of the genre, but they just work and sound so amazing. In the end it all comes down to effective songwriting, dosing and the effective use of dynamics. For instance; you'll hear the band getting the most out of a relatively simple folk-infused song like 'Who's to Blame?'. The crowd is obviously enjoying this concert a lot as well and their enthusiastic reaction adds to the festive feel of this great live album. On the second cd the band returns to some of its earliest work with the Atlantis suite, and I don't think those pieces will ever become a favorite of mine. Which leaves me with still more than 100 minutes of progressive bliss - more than enough to warrant a five star rating and the warmest of recommendations.