Post Description

Studio Album, released in 2004, United Kingdom.

Debuut en tot op heden enige album van deze Engelse Neo-prog formatie.
Persoonlijk vind ik het een prima album al zijn de meningen hierover verdeeld.
Dat er soms wat AOR invloeden zijn vind ik geen enkel probleem.

PILGRYM were formed in 2003 to be used as a vehicle for Andy Wells' and Tony Drake's leanings toward more challenging progressive music. After a long spell in the studio completing the Andy Wells solo classical project 'Lost Toy's', they set about writing for the "Pilgrimage" album in the summer of 2003, work on the album took shape quickly and leans towards the old school British progressive style but at the same time also captures an Anglo American Prog sound.

Many influences on the album come from UK bands like KING CRIMSON, ELP, GREENSLADE etc. which can also be heard alongside echo's of KANSAS and early STYX. This combination culminates in the unique sound of PILGRYM.

Got this album on the advice of a Brazilian prog site review, the cover itself got me hooked in firstly [ magnificent artist ] but the music takes the front seat once listened to with soaring hammond organ and eerie haunting mellotron, very reminicent of early King Crimson / Yes. The vocals are crystal and remind me a little of Dave Gilmour/ John Wetton. backing track production is also very full. The opening track kicks in with a wall of vintage synthesizer sounds and Hammond with melodic twin guitars holding the very very catchy melody, lyrics are a bit surreal but the chorus has the potential of a classic hit, there is also Believe me now which is a bit Asia in content but also a contender for FM radio. Th mainly instrumental Building the perfect universe gives you a trancy intro but soon transforms into a full on ELP organ bash with shades of Genesis and again Gilmour assosiation crops up in the screaming giuitars from Tony Drake. Tony Drake takes lead vocals on the last track which is recorded live and proves the band can addapt thier music very well to the live enviroment, this track too has the haunting early 70s feel given by the ever present Mellotron. All in all a great new sounding band and a must have album for all progressive and classic rock fans !!!!!!,



Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Circus Of The Absurd (7:57)
2. Ghosts Of Years (6:01)
3. Believe Me Now (4:52)
4. Building A Perfect Universe pt I (4:44)
i) Endless Space
ii) The Spark
iii) Creating God
5. Building A Perfect Universe pt 2 (5:02)
i) Understanding The Machine
ii) All That You See
6. Song Of The Albatross (7:02)
7. Black Sun (7:14)
8. Bonus Tracks: Reborn (Live) (6:20)
9. Circus Edit (5:44)

Total Time: 54:56

Line-up / Musicians

- Andy Wells / vocals, guitar, bass, piano, organ, mellotron, synthesizers
- Tony Drake / vocals, guitar, lead guitar
- Kevin Mulvihill / percussion
- Oliver Drake / additional guitar & bass
- Mike Syslo / bass ("Circus & Reborn")
- Emma Louise Pearson / keyboards ("Reborn Live")