Pendragon-The Masquerade Overture (1996)

Pendragon are one of the classic bands of the so-called neo-progressive rock movement, and along with Marillion, IQ, Pallas, and Galahad, they spearheaded a genre derived from the traditional progressive rock of the 1970s. With such compelling works as their debut album, "The Jewel" (1985), and subsequent releases like "Kowtow" (1988), "The World" (1991), and "The Window of Life" (1993), the band, led by guitarist and singer Nick Barrett, reached their creative peak with their fifth album, "The Masquerade Overture", delivering a record of excellent production and superb musicianship. In addition to Barrett, Pendragon consists of Clive Nolan (keyboards), Peter Gee (bass), and Fudge Smith (drums). Comprising seven tracks, "The Masquerade Overture" is brimming with layers of symphonic and atmospheric keyboards and melodic, brilliant guitar solos, all contributing to the enormous and sublime moments that hark back to early Genesis with its pastoral and instrumental style, and to the more ethereal Pink Floyd, as demonstrated in the delightful "As Good As God" and "The Shadow". However, it is the thrilling epics "Masters Of Illusion" and "Guardian Of My Soul" that stand out on an album that rivals neo-progressive masterpieces such as Marillion's "Script For A Jester's Tear", IQ's "The Wake", or Pallas's "The Sentinel".