Record Reviews

CHANDELIER ~ PURE CHICKADISC 005 (Barcode: 5903068120091) ~ GERMANY ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1988 - 1990 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the debut album by the German Neo-Prog ensemble ChandelierFind albums by this artist, which consisted of vocalist Martin EdenFind albums by this artist, guitarist Udo LangFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Tobias BudnowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Christoph TiberFind albums by this artist and drummer Heribert RubarthFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original songs with lyrics (In English) by Eden and music co-credited to all five ensemble members. This remastered and expanded edition adds a whole second CD which presents the cassette only early album by the band with one previously unreleased outtake. The music is obviously strongly influenced by the classic British Prog bands of the late 1960s / early 1970s as well as the early British Neo-Prog bands which exploded in the early 1980s like MarillionFind albums by this artist, IQFind albums by this artist, PallasFind albums by this artist, PendragonFind albums by this artist and many others. The songs on this album as every bit as good as the material these bands managed to produce, and offer great melodies, excellent instrumental parts and falsetto (as appropriate for the genre) vocals. Neo-Prog sadly had a limited musical impact as it basically offered nothing new that was not already done in the past and refused to break beyond the self imposed limits of the genre. Nevertheless this album is quite strong as far as this genre has to offer and in the thirty years retrospective sounds really entertaining. Progheads should find this remastered and expanded reissue a feast to their ears and considering the fact that the original release is impossible to find these days, this is a great opportunity to discover this excellent band. As usual the remastered music and excellent liner notes make this reissue a must have. The ChickadiscFind albums on this label label is a subsidiary of the excellent Polish GADFind albums on this label Records, which by now is a trademark of quality.

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted: 29/06/2019

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	PENDRAGON ~ 9:15 LIVE TOFF 3 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 2nd album (recorded 1986), captured live at the London Marquee club and showing what a treat Prog music can be at a live concert. Reworks of their debut studio album material and new songs.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PENDRAGON ~ ACOUSTICALLY CHALLENGED METAL MIND 0085 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded live at the Polish Radio in 2001, this album presents Pendragon `naked` as an acoustic trio (no drums) playing and singing a great set of their songs. This performance really emphasizes their great feel for melody and poetry. Absolutely stunning sound quality, which does them a great service in this case. Heartwarming!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

PENDRAGON ~ BELIEVE TOFF 13 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 9th album (recorded 2005) by UK top Prog act. Released four years after their last studio album, this was one of the most anticipated Prog releases ever. The long wait was worthwhile, as this release is everything a classic Prog fan can expect from an album - beautiful melodies, superb musicianship and crystal-clear production, everything is just perfect. The greatness of Pendtagon alway was the straightforward approach to music - no bullshit whatsoever. Just sit down, relax and let the music take you away to the higher spheres of pure musical bliss!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	PENDRAGON ~ KOWTOW TOFF 1 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 3rd album (recorded 1987) by this excellent Neo-Prog British group led by the keyboards wizard Clive Nolan (who is also the leader of Arena, a very busy man). Pendragon are considered the finest and most popular Neo-Prog British band and their albums sell vast quantities all over the world. They tour a lot and have fanatic fans in many countries.
Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PENDRAGON ~ LIVE... AT LAST AND MORE METAL MIND 0005 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock A live concert recorded for the Polish TV in 1996 during the `Masquerade Overture` tour. Pendragon at their best playing and singing their hearts out in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Material includes the album`s songs and some older favourites. Lots of DVD additional material. Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, 130 minutes.

DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	PENDRAGON ~ NOT OF THIS WORLD TOFF 10 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 8th album (recorded 2000-01), another masterpiece in which the band outdoes itself once more. Really delightful melodies and rich orchestration.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PENDRAGON ~ ONCE UPON A TIME IN ENGLAND VOL.1 MOB 6 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock This collection or rarities released in 1999 is a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of Pendragon. It includes all previously unreleased material from the group`s vaults and opens a window on the creative process of writing the music, which later becomes `official`. Although some of the material is Lo-Fi, that does not mean it`s not interesting, on the contrary, all of it is. All the 14 songs are described in detail in the informative booklet. For fans of the group this is surely a must!

Updated: 01/06/2018Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PENDRAGON ~ OVERTURE 1984-96 OUTER MUSIC 2011 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock This compilation of Pendragon`s music is a great introduction to their early works. Including tracks from their albums and EPs, it presents the Neo-Prog pioneers in full blown glory, which is well deserved. Their talent to write excellent melodies and spice them with brilliant instrumental passages is omnipresent. If you don´t intend to get the individual albums, grab this one!

Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	PENDRAGON ~ THE JEWEL TOFF 2 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 1st album (recorded 1985) by this group, considered as one of the first major albums of the Neo-Prog genre. Pendragon are the most melodic and symphonic among all the Neo-Prog outfits, really in the tradition of many 70`s bands like Yes and Genesis.
Updated: 21/09/2021Posted:	CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PENDRAGON ~ THE JEWEL (EXPANDED EDITION) TOFF 12 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Reissue of the 1st album (recorded 1985), which is considered a classic Prog album by now. All the elements that were to characterize Pendragon`s music are already present here - great melodies and excellent playing. The bonus material includes 2 pre-album tracks (recorded 1984) and 2 new tracks (recorded 2005) added especially for this release. If you missed the original release, now is the time to get aboard!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

	PENDRAGON ~ THE MASQUERADE OVERTURE TOFF 7 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 7th album (recorded 1995-96), in which the band reaches its creative peak. Rich orchestral and choral passages and a superb line of compositions make this album a true jewel of conteporary Prog.
	CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

	PENDRAGON ~ THE REST OF PENDRAGON TOFF 4 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 4th album, a collection of previously unreleased tracks, outtakes and rarities from 1984-86. Great fun for the fans and very interesting perspective of the group.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	PENDRAGON ~ THE WINDOW OF LIFE TOFF 6 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 6th album (recorded 1993), very much in the same tradition with more great melodies and perfect performances.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

	PENDRAGON ~ THE WORLD TOFF 5 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock 5th album (recorded 1991), very much in the same tradition as their earlier releases, with more great melodies and perfect performances. With this one Pendragon`s status as the leading UK Prog group was firmly established.
	CD 1 Recommend To A Friend