Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Prog, Artrock | Heft: Jahrgang 2014, eclipsed Nr. 166 / 12-2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: Toff | Autor: MaB
Although Pendragon are among the co-founders of Neoprog, in recent years they have endeavoured to refresh their music with more modern elements. "Men Who Climb Mountains", the first album with drummer Craig Blundell, is no exception. But donâ€?t let the unspectacular opener "Belle Âme" fool you, because already with "Beautiful Soul" the Brits let it crack and immediately push a chorus capable of winning a majority. But it gets even better. Because from the middle of the song on, Nick Barrett & Co. add a big scoop of drama. Also "Come Home Jack", where the reverb effect on the guitar could be more discreet, increases to a true songkoloss. "In Bardo", on the other hand, exudes a melancholic atmosphere that suits the end of autumn, even though the drum groove might be a bit simpler. The Pink-Floyd-like "When The Zombies Come" even features relatively weird harmonies that fit into the overall context just as well as the aggressive outbursts in "Faces Of Darkness". With "Faces Of Light" Pendragon have even created a real ear candy that reaches the intensity of the best Anathema songs. "Men Who Climb Mountains" is a sophisticated audio food for experienced proggies and genre novices.
Top Track: Beautiful Soul
