ARRIVE ALIVE

I originally bought this album on it's release in cassette form, I also own it on vinyl & cd. Sadly, due to the recording being somewhat rough & ready, there is no real benefit to the sound on the cd version. As for the content of the record, well, I could reel off a list of superlatives that still wouldn't do it justice. There are Pallas classics a-plenty on here, Heart Attack, Crown Of Thorns, Queen Of The Deep, and, of course, The Ripper. At this stage of their career, the emphasis really was on live shows, and, boy, they did not disappoint. As well as the excellent musicianship on display here, they also provided a stunning visual show, centered around vocalist Euan Lowson who has been compared to Peter Gabriel in his Genesis days. The comparisons can be left at the theatrical aspect, as, vocally, there is little similarity. From Niall Mathewsons soaring guitars, through Ronnie Browns exquisite use of the Novatron, and Graeme Murrays excellent backing vocals, bass/12 string & bass pedals, the band tick all the right boxes. All in, I thoroughly recommend this album as, in my opinion, the very best of the '80's prog revival.