The Sentinel cover

The Sentinel

Pallas · 1984

57 min · 10 tracks · progressive rock

Epic soundscapes intertwine with intricate melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, embodying the essence of 80s progressive rock.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Shock Treatment — Opening the album with a powerful and dynamic energy, this track sets the tone for the progressive themes explored throughout. Its intricate rhythms showcase Pallas's signature style.
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    March on Atlantis — This track features soaring melodies and a narrative that evokes images of mythic journeys, exemplifying the band's storytelling prowess within their music. Its climactic arrangement stands out as a highlight of the album.
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    Atlantis — A sprawling epic that encapsulates the album’s thematic focus on lost civilizations and existential reflections, this track combines lush instrumentation with thoughtful lyrics, making it a centerpiece of the record.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

55 /100
Foothills
Higher than 45% of albums we've rated

The album showcases ambitious structures and thematic depth typical of early '80s progressive rock.

What we noticed

  • The album features extended tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for complex arrangements and thematic development.
  • The first track opens with a dramatic instrumental introduction that sets a cinematic tone, which is revisited in later songs.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Shock Treatment 4:31
  • 2 Cut and Run 5:04
  • 3 Arrive Alive 4:10
  • 4 Rise and Fall, Part 1 6:09
  • 5 East West 5:02
  • 6 March on Atlantis 5:24
  • 7 Rise and Fall, Part 2 4:06
  • 8 Heart Attack 8:01
  • 9 Atlantis 8:05
  • 10 Ark of Infinity 7:05

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata