Prototype - Cloned


Year of Release: 1998
Label: SubLevel Records
Catalog Number: 0498-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 28:55:00

Prototype is another highly interesting act to come out of the USA. This four-piece recorded what was meant to be a demo, but the final result came out much better than expected and the band decided to go for it and release it as their debut mini-CD. Also worth mentioning is the superb artwork, rendered by Travis Smith, who has also worked on the latest albums by Death, Iced Earth, and Psychotic Waltz.

First off, let me say that this is some seriously heavy stuff. Prototype combine thrash and prog metal, and the final result is a six song CD chock full of heavy, crunchy riffing, mid-ranged powerful vocals and complex technical drumming. The vocal lines, which might seem a bit aggressive at first, are really good, with lots of melody. Each musician is very competent and the band comes off as very tight. Although the music is very heavy, the band has also made room for more moody mellow parts and passages. Someone said that if you could imagine the progressive style of Rush and the crunch, complexity and aggression of Meshuggah, you might have a slight idea what this sounds like, and I feel that this is a fairly accurate description. Considering this was originally a demo, the production is good, but of course, with room for improvement.

For fans of the genre, this is a blind purchase and for those who are curious about this band, check them out, they kick ass! Can't wait for a full CD, with a major-label production! That would kill!

[This review originally appeared May 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Transcendent Velocity / Mind In Motion / Synthespian / Shine / Seed / Dead Of Jericho

Musicians:
Vince Levalois - guitars, vocals
Kragen Lum - guitars
Pat Magrath - drums (1-3)
Mike Bear - bass (1-3)
Damion Ramirez - drums (4-6)
Steve Gambina - bass (4-6)

Discography:
Psychosis - Pavement Bound (cass. ep) (1990)
Psychosis - Lifeforce (cass. ep) (1992)
Seed (cass. ep) (1995)
Cloned (CD ep) (1999)
Trinity (2002/2004)
Continuum (2006)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: January 15th 2005
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.prototypeonline.com/protophp/
Hits: 2342
Language: english

  

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