Well then, this review rules! A great thanks to Anders @ Nocturnal Horde for the support!! 
Prototype - Continuum
Release: 2006
Label: Metal Axe Records
By: Anders
Posted: Aug 4, 2006
The Los Angels based band Prototype is now finally ready with their second album. Their debut full length album "Trinity" was released by WWIII in USA in 2001 and in Europe by Massacre Records in 2003, and that seemed like the band's breakthrough. Though now 3 years after, they are ready with the sophomore album, released by the German label Metal Axe Records.
Now what has changed, not much, well the band have of course become better musician-wise, the efforts on "Trinity" was mind blowing, though the level of musicianship on this album is over the top. The guitar parts are technical as hell, but still smooth and soft as hot butter. The main riffs are good and catchy, they really clings on from the first second. The leads are effective and we are getting some good melodies laid out. The guitar solos utilized on the album are also top notch, nothing less. The bass is heavy, rumbling just below the thick and heavy walls of guitars, either tagging along the rhythm or excelling in its own world. The drumming is on the top as well, delivered by hired guns, though really well-played, technical without going over the top and always fitting. The vocals delivered by Vince Levalois, who also handles one of the guitars, are varied well and possess emotion and passion all the way through, a gripping performance that adds to the music.
The most impressive thing about the album is the compositions, damn they are well written and must have demanded a lot of work in the rehearsal room to have been made so smooth, and still progressive and technical as hell. The blend of melodic thrash and technical progressive metal is well-made and offers the best of both genres, with the emphasis on the technical and progressive side, though.
The album has been produced by the band itself and mixed by Neil Kernon, and once again he has done a stellar job, the sound is heavy, smooth full of details and life. The music is not getting pushed through the speaker, it more or less flows on its own behalf, not pushy or too complex on any spectres, great work. And on top of that, the sound is quite organic, which always is a good thing.
Even though many perhaps had given up on Prototype, the band has risen as the phoenix and stands even stronger as it is now! "Continuum" is none the less a masterpiece in its own means. The songs are catchy, melodic and smooth, yet technical as hell, without it ever gets over done, or just done for the sake of doing it. Each piece has its place and effect throughout the whole album, which is seldom heard or perfected like on this album. For me it's hard to believe that a bigger label hasn't taken the bait known as Prototype, if some band should have a big future ahead of them, it should be the 3 guys in this band, Vince Levalois, Kragen Lum and Kirk Scherer.
Rating: 9½/10
http://www.nocturnalhorde.com/review526.html
Prototype - Continuum
Release: 2006
Label: Metal Axe Records
By: Anders
Posted: Aug 4, 2006
The Los Angels based band Prototype is now finally ready with their second album. Their debut full length album "Trinity" was released by WWIII in USA in 2001 and in Europe by Massacre Records in 2003, and that seemed like the band's breakthrough. Though now 3 years after, they are ready with the sophomore album, released by the German label Metal Axe Records.
Now what has changed, not much, well the band have of course become better musician-wise, the efforts on "Trinity" was mind blowing, though the level of musicianship on this album is over the top. The guitar parts are technical as hell, but still smooth and soft as hot butter. The main riffs are good and catchy, they really clings on from the first second. The leads are effective and we are getting some good melodies laid out. The guitar solos utilized on the album are also top notch, nothing less. The bass is heavy, rumbling just below the thick and heavy walls of guitars, either tagging along the rhythm or excelling in its own world. The drumming is on the top as well, delivered by hired guns, though really well-played, technical without going over the top and always fitting. The vocals delivered by Vince Levalois, who also handles one of the guitars, are varied well and possess emotion and passion all the way through, a gripping performance that adds to the music.
The most impressive thing about the album is the compositions, damn they are well written and must have demanded a lot of work in the rehearsal room to have been made so smooth, and still progressive and technical as hell. The blend of melodic thrash and technical progressive metal is well-made and offers the best of both genres, with the emphasis on the technical and progressive side, though.
The album has been produced by the band itself and mixed by Neil Kernon, and once again he has done a stellar job, the sound is heavy, smooth full of details and life. The music is not getting pushed through the speaker, it more or less flows on its own behalf, not pushy or too complex on any spectres, great work. And on top of that, the sound is quite organic, which always is a good thing.
Even though many perhaps had given up on Prototype, the band has risen as the phoenix and stands even stronger as it is now! "Continuum" is none the less a masterpiece in its own means. The songs are catchy, melodic and smooth, yet technical as hell, without it ever gets over done, or just done for the sake of doing it. Each piece has its place and effect throughout the whole album, which is seldom heard or perfected like on this album. For me it's hard to believe that a bigger label hasn't taken the bait known as Prototype, if some band should have a big future ahead of them, it should be the 3 guys in this band, Vince Levalois, Kragen Lum and Kirk Scherer.
Rating: 9½/10
http://www.nocturnalhorde.com/review526.html
