1. Favourite PQ song - Neverworld
It's a heavenly 8 or 9 minutes of perfectly crafted music. It's got an Intro and Outro that compliment the rest of the song perfectly, it's fast, it's catchy, the guitars and keyboards sound phenomenal and it's just got an amazing, epic feeling without it feeling like the "epic" aspect is over-done. It's one of a kind.
If I had to choose a different song, it would be Better Days. One of the ultimate feel good songs and love how AOR it is.
2. Favourite PQ record - Neverworld
Whilst the first album is fantastic, there is a typical Power Metal feel to a lot of the songs (not really a bad thing) but it feels like with Neverworld, a lot more varying influences began to shine in the Music and the result is a nearly perfect album. Each song compliments each other almost perfectly, the songs are just the right length and the high quality is consistent throughout. The first four songs might be the best first four songs on any album ever, 'When I'm Gone' is well-written, well-placed ballad, 'For Evermore' almost doesn't stop getting better the more you hear it and 'Lost Without You' is a unique, epic closing track, with guest vocalist Sabine Edelsbacher adding an extra, worthy dimension to the song.
Again, if not Neverworld, I would pick Blood Alliance.
3. Favourite PQ album artwork - Neverworld
Difficult to choose here. The artworks for Master of Illusion and Blood Alliance are very good too, however I think Neverworld also captures the feel of the album the best
4. Favourite PQ line up - Williams/Finnie/Midgley/Owen/Smith/Callanan
Having been lucky enough to see PQ six times, live performances were always going to be a big factor in my selection here. I've gone for this line-up not only because this was the line-up in my top three PQ shows, but also because Callanan's voice ensured that both pre-Blood Alliance era and Blood Alliance songs could be performed with the justice they deserve. This line-up also felt like the perfect mix of youth and experience.
5. Favourite PQ show - Wakefield, The Snooty Fox, 25th November 2011
This again was a tough call. My first PQ show was when Pete Morten was briefly in the band and obviously that will always be special for me, being the first and all. I saw the Blood Alliance line-up live twice, again great experiences and great to hear the Blood Alliance songs with Chity on vocals. With Colin however, they had the confidence to bring many fan favourites back, especially pre-Master of Illusion songs, as well as songs from the last two albums still sounding great.
Seeing this line-up in Derby was fantastic, especially hearing 'For Evermore' and 'Galaxies Unknown' live for the first time. The show at Metieval Winterfest in Hull was also great, especially to see Alessio join for a few songs.
I've picked Wakefield though as it was the first show with the most recent line-up, great attendance, great atmosphere and getting to hear so many favourite songs live for the first time, especially the likes of Neverworld and Temple of Fire. It was to hang around with the band after the show too, getting drunk and for me, having about an hour's sleep, rushing to get ready and to the train station in the morning and having to work that day!
By the way 1928, I kind of stole your layout for this post. Hope you don't mind!
