I ‘m a bit ashamed to admit that I was a very late starter as far as Porcupine Tree are concerned. Then again, they have spent the best part of their 15 plus year career being largely-ignored by the media that are now falling all over them. Having dabbled in different styles over the course of numerous albums they’ve now settled on a sound that  straddles the Prog/Metal divide, but coming from a completely different angle than Dream Theater.

Mind-blowing though they are instrumentally, PT never make the mistake of their expertise diluting the song. Steven Wilson’s voice has a fragile beauty that is rare in Rock these days, while Gavin Harrison must be the most underrated drummer around. I suppose as a devout Prog-head, I should be telling you to indulge in the 17-minute ‘Anesthetize’ on the new ‘Fear Of A Blank Planet’ album. But if you really want a hint of the majestic power of this band, then I suggest you turn off the lights and crank up the album’s closing duo of ‘Way Out Of Here’ and ‘Sleep Together’.

By Mark Palmer Roadrunner UK MD