Forget various other bands sporting this name, it is time to pop over to West Yorkshire for the only real Prophecy that means a damn in the world we dwell as far as I am concerned. There is something maybe in the water and to be sure the area gets enough of the bloody stuff from the skies, making bands from the area to compose music that is not exactly the most cheerful you will ever come across. Naturally in mind already you no doubt have Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride both from Halifax, home town also of The Prophecy, just what is it about the place that propels bands to such lengths of misery? Well the only way you are going to discover that is to visit yourself although I would not really advise it. Before anyone writes in from the place I should mention that even the people I have met from there have declared it a bit on the poo side so….. Of course the area around is both bleak and beautiful so at least there are places to escape (and bury the bodies) and luckily along with the feeling of heartfelt pain and desperation found within this lots music there is plenty of emotions conveying this as well.
I have been following The Prophecy since their first album ‘Ashes’ found its way to me back in 2003 and have watched them not exactly rise but certainly solidify their position in the grand scheme of things through the years and by third and last album ‘Into The Light’ find themselves on Code666. Recently I caught them live at a free show in a pub and as ever the performance really moved me and had me thinking they should be much bigger in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps they are not due to just how much emotion they pour into their music, emotion that maybe is too much for many. There is certainly plenty of it in these five new numbers.
Yes they dish it out in somewhat epic proportions with four out the five songs here weighing in over the ten minute mark. First is the epic title track which flows from gloomy spine chilling strums and a splash of violin into the clean warming caress of singer Matt Lawson’s vocals. The focus is often left on these during the album and as is the case here the musicians are left to simply add to his tones with slow acoustic parts. These will draw you in and leave you in a false sense of security and as with modern day Anathema go far beyond metal of any description. However just when you least expect it, the bite will get its teeth in and there is going to be a sudden frenzied burst from the fragile state with death growls honing in and guitars taking on a metallic chug. The sweeping and poetic vocals again come to the fore as we move into ‘Released,’ the song has one of the albums strong melodies running through it, building and slowing and playing with you before eventually hitting a peak and flattening everything, by now having you practically singing along even on the first listen. At just under 5 minutes Reflections is the baby of the album but serves as a complete song by getting into things in a much shorter fashion and throwing melody and its passion at you quickly. At least they get a bit closer to a radio playlist or cover mount CD promo track with it.
I noticed that these tracks all have a good few seconds pause between them and they need it for you to draw a breath and get ready for the next instalment. The last two are both excellent; ‘In Silence’ going for repeating the song title in melodious yearning croons over a rich beseeching melody. It slowly ebbs away with the drumming occasionally building to give it a more rough edge but is generally an acoustic affair. The gruff vocal part does surprise and but even though it’s all far from heavy you can still find yourself head banging along. I bet this one works really well live although am not 100% sure they did not play this at that aforementioned gig. The chorus on last song ‘Redemption’ is (and it’s no easy choice) the strongest. Perhaps it is due to the fact that this track after building does have a rugged and rough punch about it, really allowing the musicians to strut their stuff and flex their muscles, but that chorus; well be prepared for it to knock you on your arse.
So in my opinion an undervalued band in this country (having played in front of large crowds in the likes of Cuba, China and Russia in the past) and one who really should be checked out if you have not previously done so. If you like music that makes you think, dream, yearn, love, wish and reflect this could well be your Salvation!
(8/10 Pete Woods)
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