BELIEVE

I've been listening to Pendragon for, let's say, 4 years now (I'm 20), and I've loved a lot "The Window of Life", "The Masquerade Overture" (which made me discover the band), and finally the a-bit-more-complex "Not of this world" album - along with Utrecht and some more live stuff... I've let my ears wander around "The Jewel" and earlier things.

"Believe" is the achievment of all of them. I can hear till now the complaining voices crying - "oh, no, a 20 years-old boy without any proper judgment and wisdom!", and maybe they'll be right. But, for my defence, I have to say that I love all forms of prog, and I don't compare any band to another, trying to get the essence of each band and each album. I've been listening to Yes, Camel, Genesis, Marillion, IQ, Arena, a lot more of them, and I'm not the kind to say : "Fish is a under-Peter Gabriel". No, he's different, sorry for that; but the ones whoalways compare will always find and object of comparision. Let's be just objective - that's not the point after all. I just meant : "Believe" is not made of parts of previous Pendragon stuff. Oh, yes, of course, it is. But it is... different. It's Pendragon, but it's new Pendragon, no remake at all.

The acoustic guitar mastering by Nick Barrett souds astonishing in it, and it's been very profitable for the whole result. The album sounds quiet, deep, and it sounds good, very good. There is strictly NOTHING to throw away, nothing at all. It is, and what may Progarchives say, "a perfect masterpiece" that deservens plently its five stars rating. If you have not done it yet, just run and buy the album! I'm just waiting for the show now...