If there's a prog group in this world that's criminally underrated, then it's Pallas.
And as they are closely related to Arena musically (even Niall Mathewson sounds a lot like John Mitchell), it seems right to start this topic.
If you want to please yourself and prog, then purchase some Pallas albums.
I have their latest, The Dreams Of Men, and it's fabulous. You can read some excellent reviews at Amazon-US:
http://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Men-Pallas/dp/B000AY9OUS
Here's a list of their albums (from Wikipedia):
Arrive Alive (1981) Live
The Sentinel (1984) Studio Album
The Wedge (1986) Studio Album
Knight Moves To Wedge (1986) Studio Album
Beat the Drum (1998) Studio Album
Live our Lives - 2000 (2000) Live
The Cross And The Crucible (2001) Studio Album
Mythopoeia (2002) Compilation
The Blinding Darkness (2003) Live
The Dreams Of Men (2005) Studio Album
The River Sessions 1 (2005) Live
The River Sessions 2 (2005) Live
Official Bootleg 27/01/06 (2006) Live
Enjoy, and discuss.
Nicky.
I own 'The Dreams of Men' and 'The Sentinel'. Frankly speaking 'TDOM' doesn't make a click to me, I find 'The Sentinel' better :-\. But Alan Reed has a beautiful voice, I was impressed by his performance on the NEO DVD. The track 'For The Greater Glory' is great 8).
I shall tell you a funny story!
At first I didn't listen music at all. Absolutely NO music at all.
Then my dad let me listen to Genesis' Duchess (from the Duke album). I was sold.
Then I kept listening to Collins era Genesis, later on the Gabriel era.
Genesis became my favourite band.
My dad had an illegal burned copy of Pallas' The Cross And The Crucible (ooohh tsk tsk tsk) and hadn't even listened to it.
He got it from a collegue of his, and I somehow got a bit curious to what it would sound like.
So I played it and the title song was soooo good! I loved it!
Then later on I discovered Arena and that was sooooooooooooooooooo good! I loved it even more.
When I listened to The Cross And The Crucible again later on I found it a bit disappointing to be honest.
But you've started something, I give it another chance and I might even buy it. (I'm not as illegal as my dad! *horns*) ;)
OK, PH, let's share the bizniz: I sell the .......'s and you sell the ooooooo's. How's that?
Nicky.
Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2007-05-23, 12:38:10
The Sentinel (1984) Studio Album
The Wedge (1986) Studio Album
Beat the Drum (1998) Studio Album
The Cross And The Crucible (2001) Studio Album
The Dreams Of Men (2005) Studio Album
Enjoy, and discuss.
Nicky.
Funny you mention them, Nicky. Pallas for me is a band who is always stumbling in the slipstream of bands like Marillion, the old i admit ;) and Pendragon. Even on the time Arena stepped in.
And that's a shame. The Wedge for instance is really good as well is The Dreams Of Men. In many ways i think that Arena and Pallas are more or less alike. Music wise that is. ;)
*By the way i own the albums up high in the quote-section. ;)
Quote from: maddox on Wed, 2007-05-23, 20:26:55
*By the way i own the albums up high in the quote-section. ;)
Maddox, is your dad's name Rockefeller?
Nicky.
Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2007-05-23, 20:46:17
Maddox, is your dad's name Rockefeller?
Nicky.
No, it's Wim. ;D
Quote from: maddox on Wed, 2007-05-23, 20:26:55
In many ways i think that Arena and Pallas are more or less alike. Music wise that is. ;)
That is true. Clive tells in the interview on the Neo DVD that the Pallas songs are a lot easier to play for him, because the keyboard parts are similar to Arena. The IQ songs are different. Strange that I like IQ much more than Pallas ;) :D.
I really enjoy Pallas' music from time to time. I have their two latest albums, 'The Cross And The Crucible' and 'The Dreams Of Men'. Especially the track 'Mr. Wolfe' from their latest album sounds a lot like Arena, in my humble opinion...
Tom
Another band where the singer put me off listening to most probably excellent music... silly me?
Peter, you who are so singer oriented, have you listened to Chris Cornell's Euphoria Morning? A great album, with a lot of different moods, and Chris has been given room and right backing to sing out his soul on this one, which he does bigtime, instead of having to compete with guitar-egos in Soundgarden and Audioslave. I'm quite sure you'll like it.
Nicky.
Yes, Nicky, I like that album, listening to it now, thanx for the reminder :D
Since most people here still seem to think that I'm on a false track being so hot on Pallas, let's have a go at the lyrics of The Dreams Of Men:
The album starts with an introduction of the Bringer Of Dreams, a pretty kinky fellow:
They know you're here, your own dark fears
You know you can't stop the show
You're at the mercy of the Bringer of Dreams
A dream or a nightmare, tell me what will you choose?
No way of knowing if you'll win or lose
Perhaps you'll find your heart's desire, or burn forever in your own hellfire
The best song on the album is The Last Angel. It's about an angel that's
Sent on a mision to rescue your kind
I've seen so many things that I wished I was blind
I'm floating thru space, I'm diving thru time
Lived millions of lives, none of them mine
Why did I fail here, well I'll never know
Now I'm wandering thru a desert of desolate souls
All searching for heaven
And I see you as you murder your brothers for power
And I see you turning away from the poor in your Ivory Towers
And I see you, as you kneel in the church of celebrity
And I see you selling your soul for the price of your dignity
Why was I sent here? God only knows!
Now I'm wandering in a desert of desperate souls
Warriors is about the 9/11 suicide bombers:
I recall like yesterday the horror of it all
One image burned the screen in every home and hall
We watched in shock and awe as flesh and faith collide
Changed the world forever, shadows hide now in our minds
Warriors line up to die, face each other eye to eye
There is courage in what they do, strength and honour, respect is due
Suicide killer - Why should heaven wait for you?
Suicide killer - How can you stomach what you do?
He feels the wings beneath him ... he is flying
The world he's leaving will soon be changing
The gates of paradise are open, waiting
This is his Dream
Ghostdancers is about the tribulations of the Scots under Brit rule, and their dreams of the Promised Land:
The thin red line, it was my life to fight for King and country
But Boney's gone, the job was done, old King George has no use for me
There were times we laughed and danced, life was good, we loved our land
But now we starve in our backyard, the children die in their mother's arms
We're sailing to America in a ship of dreams
Going to start a new life in the new world
We're sailing to America in a ship called "Destiny"
Gone to make our fortune where the land is free
.
.
.
In a fortress called America, shadows haunt our dreams
Poisoning the new life in the new world
Our wayward son America betrayed our destiny
Threw away good fortune, chained a land that's free
White man came here long ago, he stole our land, killed our buffalo
He made us clowns in his Wild West Show, Ghost Dancers sing: He must go!
Now, does this make an impression?
Nicky.
Wow! They really strike home. Is the music as good as the lyrics cos i may have to give it a go?
Quote
The Sentinel (1984) Studio Album
The Wedge (1986) Studio Album
Beat the Drum (1998) Studio Album
The Cross And The Crucible (2001) Studio Album
The Blinding Darkness (2003) Live
The Dreams Of Men (2005) Studio Album
I own the albums in the quotesection and like them very much!
Quote from: bellanova on Wed, 2007-09-05, 14:00:59
Wow! They really strike home. Is the music as good as the lyrics cos i may have to give it a go?
DO!
Nicky.
Quote from: Peter on Thu, 2007-05-24, 17:23:12
Another band where the singer put me off listening to most probably excellent music... silly me?
Cap, with the risk of hanging next to Paco, I say YES. I consider Alan Reed a great singer, just like the other Pallas guys cut it, like crazy.
Nicky.
One could almost get the impression that Pallas is one of your favourite bands, Nicky! ;D
Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2007-09-05, 15:10:52
Cap, with the risk of hanging next to Paco, I say YES. I consider Alan Reed a great singer, just like the other Pallas guys cut it, like crazy.
Nicky.
That shows how opinions can differ. I agree with Peter that Alans' singing capabilities are a bit poor though i really enjoy their music. ;)
Be honest now, Maddox: How many times have you spun The Dreams Of Men?
Nicky.
I need at least 4 hands to come to a conclusion. ;)
Quote from: bluepony on Wed, 2007-09-05, 15:13:48
One could almost get the impression that Pallas is one of your favourite bands, Nicky! ;D
Now that you press me, Bluey, I will admit that my three absfave groups are: ... guess which ;D
Nicky.
Quote from: maddox on Wed, 2007-09-05, 15:26:49
I need at least 4 hands to come to a conclusion. ;)
Well, you told me last that you have a hook instead of fingers ;D
Nicky.
Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2007-09-05, 15:28:45
Well, you told me last that you have a hook instead of fingers ;D
Nicky.
One hook, that means i've got some fingers left. :P
Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2007-09-05, 15:27:45
Now that you press me, Bluey, I will admit that my three absfave groups are: ... guess which ;D
Nicky.
Mmmm... Pallas, Pallas and... Pallas? ;D
Oh, and maybe Arena too! ;)
You forgot Dream Theater Bluey! Nickys always going on about them, Lol
Aaah, right! I think they're totally overrated though...
You got it right, gals, the groups, not the "overrated": blaaaah.
If you had been smarter/men, you would have checked my LP ;D
Nicky.
Wrong - if we had been men, we would HAVE to have checked your LP because we wouldn't be able to remember! ;D
(Don't try to play this game with me - others have tried - you simply cannot win!)
Quote from: bluepony on Wed, 2007-09-05, 16:09:30
Don't try to play this game with me - others have tried - you simply cannot win!
That's why your boss gave in and employed you instead.
Now he's so fat that he can't get into his office anymore.
Nicky.
Quote from: bluepony on Wed, 2007-09-05, 16:09:30
Wrong - if we had been men, we would HAVE to have checked your LP because we wouldn't be able to remember! ;D
*She think she's funny. :P
Let her think that. ;D
Quote from: Nicky007 on Wed, 2007-09-05, 16:15:15
That's why your boss gave in and employed you instead.
Now he's so fat that he can't get into his office anymore.
Nicky.
ROFL
Quote from: maddox on Wed, 2007-09-05, 16:26:45
*She think she's funny. :P
Let her think that. ;D
You know, there are better ways to spend my time than hanging around with all you prog-addicts on this forum, so go on, insult me! But then don't you complain that there are no women on this forum...! :P
Quote from: bluepony on Wed, 2007-09-05, 16:28:50
You know, there are better ways to spend my time than hanging around with all you prog-addicts on this forum, so go on, insult me! But then don't you complain that there are no women on this forum...! :P
Be careful, Bluepony, we could suggest some management tricks to your boss ;D http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20070829.html
So what? The worst that could happen would probably be this:
http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20070906.html (http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20070906.html)
and he wouldn't do that because then nobody would order lunch for him! ;)
Quote from: bluepony on Thu, 2007-09-06, 09:11:06
http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20070906.html (http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20070906.html)
I kinda like this one. ;D
This http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20070904.html (http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/dilbert-20070904.html) is great too! :)
;D
A little off topic though... ;D
Quote from: bluepony on Thu, 2007-09-06, 09:23:19
A little off topic though... ;D
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a213/lexaco/offtopic1.gif)
;)
Here you can see one of the world's greatest bands perform one of their greatest songs, Ghostdancers.
This is a rare live recording of topnotch technical quality (from a concert in Pratteln, Switzerland).
Particularly Lil'Al does some passionate singing (although a bit hoarse), and Niall cuts some fine riffs (up to JM's standards, guys).
We also hear some Scerman (Scottish German) ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKAP239paQw
And here's a gang of guys having loads of fun together: the Frost* and Pallas dudes jamming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMJn0cNXWeU&mode=related&search=
Nicky.
It so quiet around the band. I hope it's a good sign and they're busy recording a new album ;). I'm enjoying their live DVD 'Moment to Moment' often, it rocks 8). Curious if some of you know more.
Good idea to bring this topic up again.
I need some albums by this band, I'll write it down on my wishlist!
Indeed... where's Pallas??
Quote from: PH on Sun, 2008-12-14, 18:04:43
Indeed... where's Pallas??
Look: http://www.pallas.f2s.com/
I'm excited *horns* *ola*
Website has been updated, rough demos for the new album, etc. have a look! 8)
http://www.pallas.f2s.com/
Pallas is one of my prog "projects," by which I mean, I feel like I *should* like them, but I haven't quite gotten them to click for me yet. Flower Kings is another notable band in that category. Actually, so is Pendragon (sorry Clive), although so many of you seem thrilled with Pure that I may have to just take a punt (UK-style) on that one.
I love Pallas generally, but have always had a particular fondness for 'The Wedge' - right from the moment I first heard it all those years ago. It's a bit different, with a slightly edgier/poppier feel. Excellent!
Pallas has a new MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/pallasofficial
They are currently recording a new album entitled 'XXV'. Can't wait, it has been too long since 'The Dreams of Men'.
Dreams of men is great and a follow up is long overdue !
Alan , the singer ., has just been sacked from the band ???
WHAT ? :o
He's sings beautifully, one of my fave singers *horns*
How could they do it ???
Nicky.
Quote from: funkster on Fri, 2010-01-29, 09:19:15
Alan , the singer ., has just been sacked from the band ???
???
Sad, one of my favourite prog singers :'(. Hopefully we will see him with an other band soon! There are always two sides on a story.
This is what Alan Reed wrote:
It is with great regret that I must tell you that I am no longer a member of Pallas.
This is not a situation of my desire or choosing. I have been unceremoniously informed that the other members of the band have unanimously decided to sack me. This has happened without prior warning or discussion.
The purported reason is an alleged lack of commitment on my part to the band and the forthcoming album. My external activities with other projects is cited in support of this.
I can only express my sadness that I will no longer be part of the Pallas story. The new album was/is shaping up to be a good one, and I was looking forward to participating fully in it.
I take extreme exception to the suggestion that I was not committed to the band. As I'm sure anyone who knows me will testify, I've been passionate about Pallas since I first joined 25 years ago. I've also been very active in the organisation of the band on many levels.
I can't begin to say how angry and hurt I feel at the way this has been done. We've all been through a lot together over the years, and I've always considered every member of the band and crew a close personal friend. I'd like to say that I wish Graeme, Niall, Ronnie and Colin the best of luck without me - but as you will understand, such Machiavellian treatment leaves a bitter taste. However, I am not and never have been vengeful, and perhaps in the fullness of time we'll speak again.. But this is a betrayal that is not easily forgiven.
As for my own future, it's too early to say. I had not anticipated this, and was expecting a full programme of Pallas-related activity over the next year. Whatever my next move is, it's likely to sound very different. I hope you will continue to offer me the same support and friendship that I have enjoyed up until now.
Alan Reed
And this is what Graeme Murray wrote on behalf of the band Pallas:
Today is a sad day. Playing in a band is like being in a marriage,
only there are five partners instead of two. It is complicated. No
one goes into a marriage expecting to get divorced. Alan has been a
member of Pallas for many years, but the sad inescapable truth is that
Alan, and the other members of the band have slowly drifted apart over
the last couple of years.
No one set out with the intention that this should happen. It just
has. It is partly due to the geographical problems of living at
opposite ends of the UK. Alan has been unable to attend a Pallas
rehearsal in the last five years, and writing music together when you
are 500 miles apart is difficult. Sometimes people just grow apart as
their ideas and interests change. During the last set of UK gigs Alan
did not travel with the rest of the band members and barely spoke to
any of the rest of the band during the two days we were together.
There was no discussion about the new album, no laughs with the rest
of us. It was all very uncomfortable. None of us have had any
communication from Alan since the Peel. At a time when we are starting
to record a new album that seemed very odd.
Yesterday was a very sad day for me. It fell on me on behalf of the
rest of the band to tell Alan that we wanted a divorce. Nothing
Machiavellian, nothing gutless, nothing underhand, nothing vindictive.
There is no good time to tell someone something like this. There is no
good way to tell someone something like this. We are all very sad, and
I, and the guys, knew how hurt Alan would be, understandably, but the
fact is the relationship had broken down, to a point where we wanted a
divorce.
The reason we play in Pallas is for the enjoyment and for the love of
the music. If we are not enjoying it then there is no point and the
band would simply die, like a loveless marriage. We were not enjoying
the fact that the relationship had broken down. I don't propose to
discuss the breakdown its not appropriate, it just happened. It's sad.
Pallas will continue. We continue to work on XXV, and it will come out
later this year. We will be touring, We will be playing at Progeny, We
look forward to seeing you all and hopefully to your ongoing support.
We wish Alan well. There is no ill will on our part and we are sure
that Alan will be fronting another band before long, and we look
forward to that. We would like to remain friends.
I had asked Alan to call me today after our call yesterday. He was
very angry on the phone and I totally understand that. I had hoped
that I could talk to him today and explain some of these things to him
personally before any announcement was made about the situation.
Unfortunately, I am having to say them publicly. I hope this helps
balance the equation and that it may give an insight into the other
side of this unhappy story. On behalf of the members of Pallas,
Graeme
Wow, I just learned of this band from Nicky about a month ago and have been gobbling up their cds and just got their dvd Moment to Moment in the mail yesterday and it was an awesome powerful experience.
What is really funny is before I went to sleep I listened to the interview with Alan and Graeme, and I thought how well they on with each other. I guess alot can happen in a year or so. Reading the 2 explanationsk, it is hard to read between the lines. Although it does seem that it would be awful difficult writing a new cd under those conditions, with not attending any rehearsals for so long. But as any story, there is always more ...to the story, I guess. A bummer. They will get on but I dug Alan voice and obvious emotional attachment to the music he was singing to.
Yeah, Aswas, I really love Alan's singing in Pallas. He was an essential part of their music. It's true, there's something ingenuous - as well as ingenious - about his singing. He just stands there - and delivers his wonderful stuff - without playacting or in any other way trying to get attention.
Sure I'm gonna miss him in the coming activities of Pallas.
But I guess it's like when one's parents divorce: You still love'm and respect'm both fully. It's not that "you're dumb" or "you're dumb", it just didnt work any longer. And now you won't see'm together, instead you'l see'm in turn, and you'l enjoy their company just as much.
So we'l have to accept that Pallas has a new singer, and that Alan has to find himself some new excellent musicians, and I'm excited about what both acts bring up 8)
Nicky.
Yeah you are right Nicky. It is just ironic. But you are right. They will all come out ok. Pallas will come out Ok, if not better. And Alan will come out of it ok, and I hope better. He will be the front man in another band I know, and it will be a great band. Daniel(un-aswas)
The new album 'XXV' is to be released next month. I'm not impressed by what I've heard so far from the new singer. There is a free download of a track called 'Monster' on their new website: http://www.pallasxxv.com/ as well as a few youtube tracks.
Quote from: Teunis on Fri, 2010-12-03, 22:03:12
The new album 'XXV' is to be released next month. I'm not impressed by what I've heard so far from the new singer. There is a free download of a track called 'Monster' on their new website: http://www.pallasxxv.com/ as well as a few youtube tracks.
Well, the song itself isn't that bad.
Just have to get used to the singer.
He's capable but not great if you ask me.
I only knew The Sentinel which failed to impress me. I even sold it back. But I like what is to be heard on their website. Sounds like a promising album (but I tend to join Mad's opinion about the new singer :-\).