THE CROSS & THE CRUCIBLE

How bright the future of neo-progressive rock looked at the turn of the century with a a string of great heavy symphonic albums by IQ, Arena, Galahad, Knight Area (in a minor way) and of course Pallas. Listening to 'The Cross and the Crucible' in 2021 I can't help but thinking how rare albums of this quality have become with only IQ still releasing classics and furthering the genre. Had Marillion redefined symphonic prog as personal and political in the eighties, during the nineties the genre became heavier, more gothic and for some perhaps slightly less relatable.

Pallas return in 1998 with 'Beat the Drum' was slightly plagued by an overdose of AOR songs, but it also showed great promise with songs like great title track of that album. On this 2001 release the band returns to full-blown progressive rock with a concept album, a new symphonic pallet and a very sophisticated production. Alan Reed is the type of singer who can deliver emotional, intimate performances and the lead guitars by Niall Mathewson are as fierce as Steve Rothery's on Marillion's 'Clutching At Straws' album. The band uses atmospherical interludes in most tracks and the addition of choral sections give the album a gothic touch fitting the album's theme. Somehow the overall sound is a bit dense and doesn't allow for easy listening, but that might just be Pallas's most defining trait in the neo- progressive genre. They are quite serious. Either you submit yourself to its mystique or are repelled by it; which I think explains the variety in ratings of this album.

For me this album is perfect example of neo-prog at its finest. To be named alongside Arena's 'Contagion' and Galahad's 'Empires Never Last'. To bad the enthusiasm around Pallas declined over the years with 'Dreams of Men' being the last on the InsideOut label. After that the band released the underrated XXV and found itself without a label altogether with the mighty 'Wearewhowheare' album in 2014. Alan Reed has released two crossover prog albums that are also worth giving a try. Currently the band is working on a new record and I do hope the band will get the recognition it deserves.