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Pallas - XXV CD (album) cover

XXV

Pallas

 

Neo-Prog

3.29 | 175 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

robert45
4 stars I know it's been a while since XXV was released, but after seeing Pallas perform at High Voltage I've finally got around to writing something!

'Falling Down' - What a great opener, both live and on the album. Killer drums and keyboard themes that remind you of The Sentinel, without repeating or plagiarising themselves. Graeme Murray's 7/8 bass riff and a Tony Banksian keyboard solo ala The Lamb from Ronnie Brown, make this track a classic piece of Prog.

I really like Paul Mackie, his voice really suits the band. I hope this begins a period of creativity for the band and we have another album soon(ish).

'Something in the Deep' ? almost a cliché by having a slow track placed at number three in the running order, but this works. It is beautiful and melodic, the guitar evocative of those heady days spent in The Marquee, where I first discovered the band back in the early 80s. The track builds up slowly with the orchestral samples ? reminiscent of Philip Glass with a little Wagner thrown in!

'Monster', The Alien Messiah' and 'Twenty Five Good Honest Men' a powerful triptych and do exactly what they say on the tin ? great rock tracks, again Mackie shines in the vocal department, along with some great performances including some great playing from Niall Mathewson.

If there is one criticism, maybe the album relies too much on the samples linking the tracks, which can sound a little repetitious.

'Blackwood/Violet Sky' appeal to the romantic in me and possibly are my favourite pieces on the album.

Pallas were always Prog's bridesmaid, I could never understand why? This album should elevate them. They are a band at the top of their game. I hope Mascot can do them justice?

One word to some up ? 'More'! More Music. More Albums and more touring!

robert45 | 4/5 |

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