BANISHED BRIDGE

Novalis's first album is often compared to early King Crimson, but I think a better touchstone is a somewhat spacier version of early (pre-Prologue) Renaissance, with traces of early Genesis also perceptible. This is perhaps most evident on Banished Bridge itself, which begins with a spacey intro, progresses into a folk-prog main part, and then erupts into a keyboard-dominated conclusion. Although the music on here wasn't groundbreaking or especially original even at the time, Novalis prove competent at producing a symphonic prog album which, even if it can't quite match the classic albums of the era, at least manages to be a quite strong second-tier piece. On the basis of Banished Bridge, I wouldn't elevate Novalis to the prog aristocracy, but I'd say they could credibly play as a support act to the likes of Yes or Genesis without embarrassing themselves.