THE MASQUERADE OVERTURE

Best Pendragon release until now. Best release of 1996 and one of neo progressive biggest classics. Beautiful, bombastic, melodious, a winner from the first note to the very last chord. The group has been developing a very unique sound since 1991's The World, and Masquerade Overture is their crowning achievement. It's still my favourite Pendragon CD and after all this time it still makes me shake with emotion when I hear it. All tracks are winners, even if some people don´t really get the greatness of this work of art. Even the operatic introduction, sung in latin and without the band, fits very well into the concept. This and the short Pursuit Of Excellent (which serves as a link between Paintbox and Guardian Of My Soul) are the only tracks that did not become instant classics of the Pendragon cannon.

NIck Barrett surpasses himself both as songwriter and guitarist here. And should I not forget the unbelievable guitar, bass and synthesizer interplay on Paintbox. Everything works and I specially like Clive Nolan´s majestic keyboards that gave The Masquerade Overture the symphonic landscape that made it famous.

Well produced, well played (the group as a whole is in top form), brilliant music. The cover art is also iconic beautiful. Everything works here. A classic in the pure sense of the word.

If you're into neo prog this is a must have. If you like music in general, give it some spins.

Rating: 5 stars, no less. A masterpiece of progressive music.