Pallas are one of the “big four” bands of the 1980s British neo-progressive revival, alongside Marillion, IQ and Pendragon. Formed in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1974, they made their name with 1984’s The Sentinel — a lavish concept album about Atlantis, produced by Yes engineer Eddy Offord. Here is our fellow fan’s ranking of their finest songs.

The short version

If you only hear a few, make them “Atlantis”, “Cut and Run”, “The Blinding Darkness” and “Falling Down” — the towering centrepiece of their Atlantis concept, a driving early favourite, a majestic comeback-era epic, and the opener of their acclaimed return to form. The full ranking is below.

Scotland’s neo-prog champions

Pallas hold a special place in the story of neo-progressive rock. Formed in Aberdeen in 1974, this Scottish band spent years on the club circuit before emerging, alongside Marillion, IQ and Pendragon, as one of the “big four” of the early-1980s prog revival. Their 1984 debut The Sentinel — a bombastic concept album about Atlantis, produced by Yes engineer Eddy Offord — remains a genre landmark, built on Ronnie Brown’s towering keyboards, Niall Mathewson’s fiery guitar and Graeme Murray’s growling Rickenbacker bass. After years away, they returned in the late 1990s and have kept making ambitious, melodic prog ever since. These fifteen songs are the best.

How we ranked them

This is one fan’s order, weighing melody, power, that neo-prog grandeur and lasting impact. The facts are accurate; the order is a starting point for the debate.

The essential six

At the very top sits “Atlantis” (1984), the towering centrepiece of their Atlantis concept and a neo-prog landmark. With it: “Cut and Run” (1984), a dramatic, driving early favourite; “The Blinding Darkness” (2001), a majestic, much-loved comeback-era epic; “Rise and Fall” (1984), a grand, climactic suite; “Falling Down” (2011), the epic opener of their acclaimed return to form; and “A Million Miles Away” (1986), a trademark Pallas anthem.

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Reliably great

The next tier is essential too. “Ark of Infinity” (1984) is the symphonic, bombastic closer of their debut; “The Cross & the Crucible” (2001) is a nine-minute title-track epic; “Fever Pitch” (2023) is a slow-burning highlight of their 2023 return; “Crown of Thorns” (2011) is a dark, powerful standout; and “Just a Memory” (1986) is a watery, atmospheric gem.

Deeper cuts

For the dedicated, these reward repeat listens. “The Last Angel” (2005) is the soaring closer of a fan-favourite album; “Beat the Drum” (1998) is the anthemic title track of their comeback; “The Nine” (2023) is a portentous, cinematic showcase; and “Shadow of the Sun” (2014) opens their 2014 album in fine style.

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 their landmark debut The Sentinel and its Atlantis suite, then the acclaimed comeback albums The Cross & the Crucible and XXV, often called their best since the 1980s. Their other records, from The Wedge to the recent The Messenger, reward exploration.

The players

Pallas have long revolved around a core of guitarist Niall Mathewson, keyboardist Ronnie Brown and bassist Graeme Murray, the band’s constant since the 1970s. Their most celebrated singer, Alan Reed, fronted the band from 1985 to 2010 and returned in 2022, bridging the eras between original vocalist Euan Lowson and the more recent Paul Mackie. Across every lineup, it is the interplay of Brown’s symphonic keyboards and Mathewson’s expressive guitar that gives Pallas their unmistakable sound.

Why they still matter

Pallas proved that the grand, symphonic spirit of 1970s progressive rock could be carried into a new era with power and conviction. As one of the “big four” of neo-prog alongside Marillion, IQ and Pendragon, they helped keep the genre alive through its least fashionable years, and The Sentinel remains one of the movement’s defining statements. Decades on, they are still making music as adventurous as ever.

Go deeper

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

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