PALLAS – wearewhoweare (2014)
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Despite being – along with IQ and Marillion – an important part of the early ’80s wave of UK Neo-Prog, PALLAS never matched those outfits in terms of profile or sales for a variety of reasons (not least the fact that the band spent much of the late 80s and 90s dormant). But Pallas is a high quality product, even better than many with major success.
Not happy with their previous 2011 album recording label, now Pallas go for themselves with their new CD “whywearewhoweare” released by the band.
“We are all what life made us, our experiences in the music business have made us realise that we needed to be in charge of our own destiny” says singer Paul Mackie. “As we were writing and starting to record the next album we made the transition and became our own cottage industry and not have to fit in with other peoples’ ideas of who we are. We are Pallas and we are who we are. So that’s where the album title comes from!”
“whywearewhoweare” is energetic and at places edgy Neo Pogressive music. The music is centered on melodic hooks, loud guitars, big keyboards and pretty layered vocal arrangements.
So, if the term ‘prog’ scares you, then better give this one a proper listen, as Pallas 2014 is quite Melodic Hard Rock, believe me. Just check opener “Shadow Of The Sun” and then tell me.
Of course there’s atmospheric proggy passages as heard on the intriguing “Harvest Moon”, acoustic (beautiful) arrangements here and there, but this is mostly an up-tempo record, and a rocking one.
“Dominion” is dark, with a heavy riff, and at the 5 minute mark a blasting, terrific keyboard solo makes this track a highlight. “Wake Up Call” is really melodic and commercial, while “Winter Is Coming” adds poppy sounds to the mix akin Eighties Marillion.
“In Cold Blood” is the ballad, a short, ethereal number with awesome angelic synths as foundation and dramatic vocals.
Pallas 2014 does not fit into an established genre, and this is what makes “whywearewhoweare” so interesting and intriguing. There’s rocking moments crowned by exhilarating guitar solos and keyboard flourishes, but also notes of classic prog and ethereal ambient.
The material is quite elaborated but you never feel sonically oppressed, all is always melodic and flows greatly.
A strong, extremely interesting new offering from Pallas, highly recommended to everyone: progsters, melodic hard rockers and AOR fans.
01 – Shadow Of The Sun
02 – New Life
03 – Harvest Moon
04 – And I Wonder Why
05 – Dominion
06 – Wake Up Call
07 – In Cold Blood
08 – Winter Is Coming
09 – wearewhoweare megamix (digital bonus)
Paul Mackie – vocals
Graeme Murray – bass, 12-string, Taurus pedals, vocals
Niall Mathewson – guitars
Ronnie Brown – keyboards, vocals
Colin Fraser – drums, vocals
BUY IT !
www.pallasofficial.com/index.php/exclusive-downloads/wearewhoweare
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