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Pallas - The Sentinel CD (album) cover

THE SENTINEL

Pallas

 

Neo-Prog

3.52 | 277 ratings

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Gatot
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars At time this album was released in 1984, prog music was considered dead by many music critics especially those who focus on early prog wave in the seventies with sorts of symphonic or space psychedelic music. Marillion just released their second full fledge album "Fugazi" after their successful debut "Script for A Jester's Tear" with major label EMI behind them. So when this album came out I paid a very little attention to "The Sentinel" because I was totally immersed with the music of Marillion and I had no time exploring others, really, until I got everything I know with the first two full albums of Marillion. Consequently, I did not spin the Sentinel album quite enough to formulate my view. When the digital era arrived to us, I purchased the Inside Out edition (enhanced CD) released in 2001.

The music of "The Sentinel" sounded too rough for my personal taste (then and now) as their composition seemed like being forced that way not following a natural flow. This especially happen in the first three tracks "Shock Treatment", "Cut and Run" as well as "Arrive Alive". Keyboard seems like the main instrument that dominates the music; supported by solid bass lines by the mastermind and founder Graeme Murray. This does not mean that guitar does not contribute a lot. Indeed, stunning guitar solo in the opening track has helped enrich the arrangement. "Shock Treatment" reminds me clearly to the emerging neo prog era. "Cut and Run" (4:59) is composed using a pop beat packaged in a bit symphonic style. "Arrive Alive" (4.05) reminds me to the music of Saga. Well, actually there are influences from Saga throughout this album, not only limited to this track.

I don't know what is the particular reason to split "Rise and Fall" part 1 and two with quite distance as there are two tracks in between. These two parts combined together form an epic. The opening keyboard work of part 1 is really symphonic in nature. The music combines medium tempo upbeat music and some quieter passages which features vocals accentuated with keyboard and symphonic music. "East West" (4:58) is a mellow track with keyboard textures that remind me to the music of Symphonic Slam. Melodic and nice composition. "March On Atlantis" (5:23) continues the mellow style, continued with "Rise And Fall" (part 2) (4:08) with a kind like haunting intro inserted with piano touches. Euan Lowson singing style is a kind of theatrical in nature and it suits with the overall flow of the music that emphasizes the symphonic style. The guitar playing style reminds me to neo prog guitar solo work augmented with mellow and floating rhythm.

Through "Heart Attack" (7:59) Euan demonsrates his theatrical capability excellently. It's one of the best songs Pallas has ever created, even though it tends getting bored due to the slow tempo. But the song is awesome. When you listen to this song during night time with all lights go off, you may hear the subtleties this song offers. The music turns to high points as the passages of time, giving a full blown neo prog music. At the ending part I can see a similar style of Van der Graaf Generator's "La Rossa" especially on the drumbeats. Not a rip off, definitely! "Atlantis" (7:59) is another symphonic music with medium-fast tempo combining good keyboard and guitar works. The album concludes beautifully with "Ark of Infinity" (7:05) which is melodic and nicely composed - featuring stunning guitar solo and long sustain keyboard work. The music turns into faster tempo with solid bass lines by Graeme and stunning keyboard solo.

On musicianship, I think Pallas has all talented musicians here. Graeme Murray is excellent with his Rickenbecker bass guitar, Niall Mathewson is an excellent guitar player with full touch of neo progressive music, Ronnie Brown also does stunning keyboard; augmented with good drumming by Derek Forman. Euan Lowson is a good neo prog vocalist. Overall, this is a recommended album. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Gatot | 4/5 |

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