ACTORS IN A PLAY

In the realm of all the current bands, Mindgames shines as a remarkably talented neo-prog band. While their influences, including IQ, Pallas, Pendragon, and Marillion, are evident, they skillfully craft their own unique sound. They maintain this originality in their compositions, delivering strong instrumental performances, although a few more guitar solos and slightly fewer keyboards wouldn't go amiss. Nevertheless, their seamless blending and interplay, exemplified in tracks like 'Royalty in Jeopardy,' make for a textually rich and engaging experience. There's a sense that the singer in the album always has something significant to convey. Mythical, dramatic, yet never succumbing to cheesiness, Mindgames consistently tread the fine line between progressive rock's extremes, avoiding becoming too aggressive or too placid. Indeed, Mindgames stands as a top-tier band in the genre. I highly recommend checking out their album, MMX, as well.