SAFE ASYLUM

Bands playing neo-prog inspired by the 1980s work of Marillion, Pendragon and IQ aren't exactly thin on the ground, but Drifting Sun stand out of the crowd on Safe Asylum with how capably they are able to produce beautiful moments comparable to the most emotive heights that their neo-prog inspirations could evoke at their prime. Guitarist Dan Storey in particular deserves praise for adding a darker and harder-edged tone to proceedings which helps Drifting Sun carve out a distinctive musical sphere for themselves, whilst Pat Sanders deserves to sit next to Mark Kelly and Clive Nolan in the pantheon of neo-prog keyboardists.