Pallas - The Blinding Darkness


Year of Release: 2003
Label: InsideOut
Catalog Number: IOMDVD 003
Format: DVD
Total Time: 152:51:00

With Pallas set to take the stage at Rosfest this coming April, and a review of this DVD long overdue, I thought it best time I "looked back" and looked ahead. The Blinding Darkness represents a show on the band's tour in support of their then new album The Cross And The Crucible. I found it a little strange watching this DVD, only because so much of it reminded me of their later show at NEARfest 2004... the angles were different, obviously, but... Strange, because 2 years separate this show at the De Borderij in, Zoetermeer, Holland and the Zoellner Arts Center show in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. One thing is for certain, vocalist Alan Reed is full of energy, bounding around on stage, dramatizing certain aspects of songs... Not full-blown acting out or theatrics or costumes... no, that would be reserved for later in the set. And, what is apparent during the whole show is that the band is enjoying themselves, playing to an enthusiastic yet respectful crowd.

The band were in fine form for this show filmed at the De Borderij in Zoetermeer, Holland. The set list covered at least one song from all the Pallas studio albums to date, though the bulk is, of course, from Cross.... The performance was tight and, for the most part, the sound was spot on. There is a bit of quietness in the vocals for the first couple of songs - except when Reed is belting, but the other instruments are at the correct volume, so... it may have been that way live and not a production/mixing problem at the DVD end. There are a couple of occasions where the keys seem mixed a little loud, but I think that, again, is what happened live. There is a certain power and emotion given to the songs performed live - you get something more I think out of "For A Greater Glory," "Bang The Drum..." The epics are epic, and something like "Who's To Blame" is sublime.

It's shot wonderfully, but also with a sense of "being there," and the focus is on the right performer at the right time. There are no cute video effects to distract from the show, though there are some overlays which give to views of the same performer... a nice if not particularly a new effect. It just gives another professional edge.

The full concert is, for some reason, broken up into the main set and the encore (perhaps there is a technical reason). The encore includes the "Atlantis" suite from The Sentinel, plus a special guest - former vocalist Euan Lowson. He sings on "Cut And Run," also from The Sentinel and a song that has, or so bassist Graeme Murray says in introducing it, a certain reputation. That song is "The Ripper." The vocals are mostly give and take between Murray and Lowson, as Lowson does his best to look deranged... I won't reveal what "shocking" slice of action takes place that caused a lot of controversy with this piece back in the day... you either know already because you were there when Pallas were getting their start, you've already seen this DVD or you will know once you see this DVD.

There are a smattering of extras - two interview/documentary segments and a picture gallery (pre-show and during the show). The interviews are short pieces - about 5 - 6 minutes in length. One of the segments is "From The Centaur's Mouth" contains an interview with the whole band, though done separately... plus some behind the scenes footage of the band preparing for the show.

Pallas gets "lumped" in with Marillion, Pendragon, IQ when folks talk about 80s-born UK prog, and from a strict timeline/geographical perspective, it's not wrong. But stylistically, and certainly after the first or second album, Pallas had and has a much heavier, punchier sound... It perhaps became most apparent with Cross..., but that they - at least guitarist Niall Mathewson - think of themselves as a metal band seems strange to hear - he says this in the interview. But then you watch him solo, and you think "Yes, yes, I can see why that is so." Perhaps fair to say heavy prog in the category of Threshold and Arena.

The second documentary is "The Return Of The Ripper" and is about Lowson's guest appearance, which includes more interview footage with members of the band and more scenes of the band preparing for the show.

The menu is easy to navigate, just select one of about 7 circles (as seen on the cover) and a "tooltip" comes up to tell you where it links. The galleries play themselves and return automatically to the menu when they've finished playing.

A well done DVD that aptly captures the band live. I fully expect that Rosfest 2006 audiences well enjoy an equally strong performance from this Scottish quintet.


Tracklisting:
The Cross & The Crucible / For The Greater Glory / The Executioner - Rat Racing / Crown Of Thorns / The Blinding Darkness / Who?s To Blame / Beat The Drum / Blood And Roses / Midas Touch / Towers Of Babble / Celebrations! / Rise And Fall Part 1 / East West / March On Atlantis / Atlantis / Cut And Run / The Ripper

DVD Extra Features: The Return of The Ripper (Documentary) / From The Centaur's Mouth (Interviews) / Picture Gallery 1 & 2

Musicians:
Alan Reed - vocals
Niall Mathewson - guitars
Ronnie Brown - keyboards
Graeme Murray - bass
Colin Prazer - drums

Guest:

Euan Lowson - vocals (16, 17)

Discography:
Arrive Alive (1981)
The Sentinel (1984/2000)
The Knightmoves EP (1985)
The Wedge (1986/2000)
Knightmoves To Wedge (combo reissue) (1986)
Sketches (1989)
Beat The Drum (1999)
Live Our Lives (2000)
The Cross And The Crucible (2001)
Mythopoeia (2002)
Blinding Darkness (2003)
The Dreams Of Men (2005)
The River Sessions 1 (2005)
The River Sessons 2 (2005)
Official Bootleg 27.01.06 (2006)
Moment To Moment (2009)
XXV (2011)
Live At Loreley (2013)
The Sentinel Demos (2013)
The Sentinel Rought Mixes (2013)
The Arrive Alive Demos (2013)
The Knight Moves Demos (2013)
Live - Southampton 1986 (2013)
Wearewhoweare (2014)
Courage - And Other Songs Of War And Peace (2018)

The Blinding Darkness (DVD) (2003)
Live From London (DVD) (2005)
Moment To Moment (DVD) (2008)
Live At Loreley II (DVD) (2013)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin UK

Added: January 5th 2006
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.pallasofficial.com
Hits: 2605
Language: english

  

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