Top 5 Pallas Albums
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Top 10s and lists
Forum Description: List all your favourites here
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=129214
Printed Date: July 18 2025 at 13:56
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Topic: Top 5 Pallas Albums
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Subject: Top 5 Pallas Albums
Date Posted: June 25 2022 at 05:58
Scottish band Pallas were one of the first Neo Prog bands to Arrive Alive on the music scene in 1981 with the release of their debut live album. Three years later, came their stunning magnum opus - The Sentinel - a science fiction concept album about a technologically advanced civilisation that brings itself to the brink of destruction, despite The Dreams of Men hoping for a better world. Sound familiar? The third Pallas album would drive The Wedge between those fans who wanted to hear another classic prog album and others who wanted a more modern sound. After all, this was the 1980's, so there's no accounting for taste. I know how we like to constantly Beat the Drum about the merits of prog here at PA and some of us even Live Our Lives from Moment to Moment every day in the progosphere. Like me for instance. We all have The Cross & the Crucible to bear in trying to convince prog non-believers they don't know what they're missing out on in life, but We Are Who We Are, and sadly, some non-believers may be destined to remain in The Blinding Darkness and be forever ignorant of the joyous wonders of prog until The Edge of Time itself.  Simply list your Top 5 Pallas albums below and I'll assign points to your listings, as per usual:- 1st album: 6 points 2nd album: 4 points 3rd album: 3 points 4th album: 2 points 5th album: 1 point Here's my Pallas Top 5 to kick things off with:- 1. The Edge of Time (6 points) 2. The Dreams of Men (4 points) 3. The Sentinel (3 points) 4. The Cross & the Crucible (2 points) 5. The Blinding Darkness (1 point)   1981: Pallas - Arrive Alive - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKo8IssrgKXQT8bL5pLgU7e" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKo8IssrgKXQT8bL5pLgU7e  1984: Pallas - The Sentinel - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLcpeZ4mTlBspQfPJcAsh94" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLcpeZ4mTlBspQfPJcAsh94 1985: Pallas - Live from London - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL12sYmE11TNFAeomohny3t" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL12sYmE11TNFAeomohny3t 1986: Pallas - The Wedge - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL1SOxFO_kYLBoAxRvhls0s" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL1SOxFO_kYLBoAxRvhls0s 1998: Pallas - Beat the Drum - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJLqSNq8yYrMqdMFS1Q59rE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJLqSNq8yYrMqdMFS1Q59rE 2000: Pallas - Live Our Lives - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLk4FYx-lTFtKixZ8AzEMVS" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLk4FYx-lTFtKixZ8AzEMVS 2001: Pallas - The Cross & the Crucible - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKSPwLBWy-Z8KH7dzCuO8Us" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKSPwLBWy-Z8KH7dzCuO8Us 2003: Pallas - The Blinding Darkness - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJ7Pm0v6kms9sl79yUfbHL9" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJ7Pm0v6kms9sl79yUfbHL9 2005: Pallas - The Dreams of Men - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKOAiRHjfQmqbxzsT8KZtOE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKOAiRHjfQmqbxzsT8KZtOE 2005: Pallas - The River Sessions 1 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLsR-uwsSOK148VqCXk4kv6" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLsR-uwsSOK148VqCXk4kv6 2005: Pallas - The River Sessions 2 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIqTr1GrIMq8nIVBboFp_hx" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIqTr1GrIMq8nIVBboFp_hx 2008: Pallas - Moment to Moment - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL0WVsX5l-lxd0Ck8gmtNVT" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL0WVsX5l-lxd0Ck8gmtNVT  2009: Pallas - 8385 Live - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL_cMAjplEixlxT4cs1GrRI" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL_cMAjplEixlxT4cs1GrRI 2011: Pallas - XXV - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKb_h3tMMdpRuZI6H-jgA-H" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKb_h3tMMdpRuZI6H-jgA-H 2014: Pallas - We Are Who We Are - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIhqorWU43BQM502YBvfunW" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIhqorWU43BQM502YBvfunW 2019: Pallas - The Edge of Time - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJaD0QSr9lGkp1eKc2ZJDyA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJaD0QSr9lGkp1eKc2ZJDyA |
Replies:
Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: June 25 2022 at 09:57
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I haven't listened to every album by Pallas, so this is what I got... 1. The Dreams of Men 2. XXV 3. The Cross & The Crucible 4. The Wedge 5. The Sentinel ------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: June 25 2022 at 10:04
| I would have to do some (re)listening to make a list here. |
Posted By: Archisorcerus
Date Posted: June 25 2022 at 10:11
Same here. |
Cristi wrote:Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: June 25 2022 at 10:39
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Pallas were, in the 80s, one of my preferred bands and I think it is the band that I've seen most times live (in the 80s, and then late 90s, early noughties) from all those I've seen live. I lost a bit of my interest when they, imo, overpolished/overproduced their albums... My top 5 would probably be: - The Wedge, especially the Knightmoves to Wedge re-issue (with their masterpiece Sanctuary!) - The Sentinel - The Blinding Darkness (live) - The Cross and the Crucible - Beat the Drum ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2022 at 07:28
This should be easy to add up, seeing as only two Pallas fans have voted so far.  1. The Dreams of Men (10 points) 2. The Wedge (8 points) 2. The Sentinel (8 points) 4. The Cross and the Crucible (7 points) 5. The Edge of Time (6 points)
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Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: July 01 2022 at 08:00
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Funny, the only Pallas album I really liked was Beat The Drum (Insomniac is the best song they ever wrote) ... which isn't getting much love here! Frankly, I could always leave the rest, and found XXV a rather pitiful affair.. never mind.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2022 at 10:40
It's funny you should mention the XXV album because that was the album I was listening to when I read your post and it still sounds as good now as the first time I heard it.
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: July 01 2022 at 12:27
| I only have a few including the one with the roman numerals which I remember liking quite a bit. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 01 2022 at 14:13
Even if you only have one Pallas album, that's still one more than I have.
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: July 01 2022 at 17:15
Sorry Paul, I'm not a streamer or a download guy. If I can't put it in my hand I may as well just listen to it on youtube.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 02 2022 at 00:16
I'd love to have Pallas' entire discography on CD, but for the time being, I'll just have to settle for listening to their albums on YouTube.
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Posted By: Progmind
Date Posted: July 03 2022 at 15:06
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My Top 5 1 - The Dreams Of Men 2 - The Cross & The Crucible 3 - Wearewhoweare 4 - The Sentinel 5 - The Wedge
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 03 2022 at 23:35
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Top 5 update with Progmind's votes added:- 1. The Dreams of Men (16 points) 2. The Cross and the Crucible (11 points) 3. The Sentinel (10 points) 4. The Wedge (9 points) 5. The Edge of Time (6 points) |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: July 04 2022 at 00:47
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How is The Wedge in the top 5? To me, it's their worst album by far.
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 04 2022 at 00:53
Funnily enough, we're in agreement again as The Wedge happens to be my least favourite Pallas album too.
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Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: July 04 2022 at 04:13
That's because I put it on top of my list. I consider The Wedge to be (one of) their most pleasurable albums; it is maybe their least proggy, but it is also their least pretentious with a collection of well crafted and played songs including one of their best ever (imo): Ratracing. And, as I said above, if you consider the reissue that includes the Knightmoves 12", with the sublime Sanctuary, then it is the best Pallas album to me. ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 04 2022 at 04:25
That reinforces the point I made in the intro where The Wedge album drove a wedge between those Pallas fans who loved the album and those who disliked it.
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Posted By: suitkees
Date Posted: July 04 2022 at 08:33
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^ Indeed. But whatever, I'm one who loves that album (and even you gave it four stars, meaning excellent to PA standards...) and am listening to it right now and I completely agree with myself that this is indeed - and still remains - an excellent album! Maybe very 80s, and I can understand that the verse-chorus-verse structure of most of the songs can put off some prog lovers, but on this album their songwriting capabilities were on a summit, in my humble opinion. ------------- The razamataz is a pain in the bum |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: July 04 2022 at 08:47
Thanks for explaining. To each its own I guess.
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Posted By: essexboyinwales
Date Posted: July 05 2022 at 07:37
| Yet another band I need to try to find time to listen to…. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 05 2022 at 07:53
Listening to every album by Pallas recently was one of the most enjoyable weekends I've ever had, but then again, I've led a very sheltered life.
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Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: July 05 2022 at 08:44
Just think of the fun you could have with a run through of Magenta's discography...
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 05 2022 at 10:24
I've already been there and done that. 2001: Magenta - Revolutions - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIe3T-MrH1EqR942YNj9Pwr" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIe3T-MrH1EqR942YNj9Pwr 2004: Magenta - Seven - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLxo1bk1tN9bv_UvqX5cGn1" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLxo1bk1tN9bv_UvqX5cGn1 2005: Magenta - The Gathering - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKYVLJTEygx4w0ZOsdOm0BT" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKYVLJTEygx4w0ZOsdOm0BT 2006: Magenta - Home - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKS0fMqXsgBwG9NIf68a7mB" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKS0fMqXsgBwG9NIf68a7mB 2006: Magenta - New York Suite - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIL-_2yfmDLTrJ5SzS7P7lM" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIL-_2yfmDLTrJ5SzS7P7lM 2007: Magenta - The Singles - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLfgG7xUho7eC82OLo4blf" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLfgG7xUho7eC82OLo4blf _ 2007: Magenta - Live at the Point, Cardiff - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIwzLFD-pM-zi4uyLQYqWAB" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIwzLFD-pM-zi4uyLQYqWAB 2008: Magenta - Metamorphosis - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJDG_UUWBs2xdA7BjpugLLs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJDG_UUWBs2xdA7BjpugLLs 2010: Magenta - Live at Real World - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKx-MgP3UpnJskUo0-Cs8sD" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKx-MgP3UpnJskUo0-Cs8sD 2011: Magenta - Chameleon - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKZhN5CdD2sdwq-1XImhVtM" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpKZhN5CdD2sdwq-1XImhVtM 2013: Magenta - The Twenty Seven Club - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJfGCKI69tFb4ZSvs7J17VN" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJfGCKI69tFb4ZSvs7J17VN 2015: Magenta - The Singles Complete - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIidnoclOfR-v40Q7Bel5fe" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpIidnoclOfR-v40Q7Bel5fe 2017: Magenta - We Are Legend - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLBCN6ASIjRnhyuESyR2k0y" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpLBCN6ASIjRnhyuESyR2k0y 2019: Magenta - Acapela 2016 & 2017 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpI00TCyPFNJoWDoMC7wXc1k" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpI00TCyPFNJoWDoMC7wXc1k 2020: Magenta - Masters of Illusion - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJMP3JjOmOa_3Z0mr4GDeCA" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpJMP3JjOmOa_3Z0mr4GDeCA 2021: Magenta - Angels and Damned - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL39WAlVlA67soFkSTlRvgs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_TaS3ukydpL39WAlVlA67soFkSTlRvgs |
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: July 05 2022 at 13:06
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^^ By the looks of those ratings, I'd guess you were a fan!! btw, Steve (Lazland) and I are going to see them at their annual Acapela Acoustic gig in Nov..
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 05 2022 at 13:41
You're right! Magenta are second only to Mostly Autumn in my Top 7 list of favourite modern prog bands. 1. Mostly Autumn 2. Magenta 3. Solstice 4. Pallas 5. IQ 6. Porcupine Tree 7. Edison's Children |
Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: July 05 2022 at 13:51
| ^^ Whilst I'm astonished that you place Pallas above IQ, do you like IO Earth or Lifesigns? I think they'd both be right down your street... |
Posted By: Gentle and Giant
Date Posted: July 05 2022 at 14:56
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1. Wearewhoweare 2. The Dreams Of Men 3. Beat The Drum 4. The Sentinel 5. XXV ------------- Oh, for the wings of any bird, other than a battery hen |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 05 2022 at 22:23
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Top 5 update with Gentle & Giant's votes added:- 1. The Dreams of Men (20 points) 2. The Sentinel (12 points) 3. The Cross and the Crucible (11 points) 4. The Wedge (9 points) 4. WeAreWhoWeAre (9 points) |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: July 12 2022 at 10:14
| The Dreams Of Men is the only one I know but it's damn good. I may also own XXV but haven't listened to it for ages so it couldn't have made a big impression on me. |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: July 12 2022 at 13:23
It's good to see my second choice "The Dreams of Men" is currently leading the poll. Realistically, I knew my favourite Pallas album "The Edge of Time" had no hope of winning, considering I'm the only one who's voted for it so far.
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