Magenta are one of the finest bands of the neo-progressive revival. Formed in Wales in 1999 by multi-instrumentalist and composer Rob Reed, and fronted by the remarkable voice of Christina Booth, they unashamedly revive the symphonic spirit of 1970s Yes, Genesis and Renaissance with a modern sheen. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Gluttony”, “Children of the Sun”, “The White Witch” and “The Ballad of Samuel Layne” — the Yes-inspired opener of their masterpiece, the epic that announced them, a symphonic showcase for Christina Booth, and a dark twenty-minute highlight. The full ranking is below.

Reviving the seventies, unashamedly

Few modern bands wear their influences as proudly as Magenta. Formed in Wales in 1999 by Rob Reed — a gifted multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer previously of Cyan — the band set out to revive the grand, symphonic progressive rock of the 1970s. Built on Reed’s lush, Yes- and Genesis-steeped compositions, guitarist Chris Fry’s Howe-and-Hackett flourishes and, above all, the soaring voice of Christina Booth (often likened to Renaissance’s Annie Haslam), they have spent two decades crafting ambitious concept albums that feel both classic and fresh. These fifteen songs are the best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing melody, that glorious voice, the symphonic ambition and lasting impact. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “Gluttony” (2004), the Yes-inspired opener of their masterpiece and one of neo-prog’s finest moments. With it: “Children of the Sun” (2001), the twenty-minute, four-part epic that announced them; “The White Witch” (2001), a twenty-two-minute symphonic showcase for Christina Booth; “The Ballad of Samuel Layne” (2008), a dark, twenty-minute epic and career highlight; “Lust” (2004), a soaring, dramatic centrepiece; and “The Lizard King” (2013), their epic tribute to Jim Morrison.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Envy” (2004) pairs Genesis-style twelve-string with Renaissance-flavoured choruses; “Genetesis” (2001) is a propulsive, Yes-indebted early epic; “Masters of Illusion” (2020) is a seventeen-minute title-track epic; “Glitterball” (2011) is an energetic opener with soaring vocals; and “A War Bride’s Prayer” (2008) is one of the band’s most beautiful melodies.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “The Journey” (2006) is a Genesis-tinged highlight of their travelogue concept album; “Pearl” (2013) is a bluesy ballad with a stunning guitar solo; “Trojan” (2017) is a ten-minute standout from their most modern album; and “Bela” (2020) is the eleven-minute opener of their horror-themed concept.

Every song at a glance

All fifteen songs, in chronological order — each linked to the album it comes from, so you can hear it in context.

Where to start

Begin with Seven, their seven-deadly-sins concept album and a neo-prog landmark, and the debut Revolutions, then explore the darker Metamorphosis and the horror-themed Masters of Illusion. Every album, from Home to the tribute record The Twenty Seven Club, rewards exploration.

The players

Magenta revolve around composer Rob Reed — who writes and plays much of the music, from keyboards to guitars and bass — and vocalist Christina Booth, whose expressive voice has made her one of prog’s most admired singers. Guitarist Chris Fry, a fixture since the beginning, adds fluid, expressive solos, while bassist Dan Nelson and drummer Jiffy Griffiths complete the current lineup. Reed’s brother Steve provides the band’s lyrics and concepts.

Why they still matter

Magenta proved that the symphonic grandeur of 1970s progressive rock could be lovingly revived without sounding like mere imitation. A jewel of the neo-prog scene alongside Marillion, IQ and Pendragon, and heirs to the melodic, classically-tinged tradition of Renaissance, they have built one of the most consistent catalogues in modern prog — and in Christina Booth, they boast one of the genre’s great voices. Decades on, Seven endures as a neo-prog landmark.

Go deeper

Keep exploring: rank their records with our guide to the best Magenta albums, or place them in the bigger picture with the best progressive rock songs of all time.

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