So this is a band that brings in as many people to the local shows here in the Twin Cities as Crimson Thorn. Gotta be worth a listen, eh?
Firstly, I never heard the original mix of Illusion, but apparently it was pretty poor. If so, this represents a success for the band, because it sounds great. Guitars are loud and in your face, the drums are full and tough, and everything's well mixed. Well and good. On to the tunes.
Chalice seems to have the unofficial title of "scariest" Christian hXc band. With this cd, Prophecy seeks to usurp that throne. This is due mostly to a trippy effect on the vocals. I'm pretty sure the vocalist isn't actually growling, but it ends up sounding a lot like the early Vengeance Rising, albeit with a different delivery.
Anyway, the cd starts off with the title track (minus "Remixed", of course). Hardcore with a violin! That's a first as far as I'm aware. It works, though, and ends up being a very cool track. "Rot" is next, a great slow stomping romp with some great growled background vox on the chorus. The remaining four songs follow in much the same way, though, as that's where I start to become dissatisfied. All six of the listed tracks on this cd are played at, more or less, the same tempo, and with more or less interchangeable guitar parts. Everything's slow to moderate, with decent groove, and most every riff is played on the E string with heavy palm muting and occasional power chords. Now these are great elements that every great band uses, but never do we have a departure here! Just once I want something to make me raise my eyebrows, but the violin on one song aside, it just isn't here.
As I said, most of this does have some groove and isn't poorly done. But I have to wait for the hidden track before I get any variance from the norm. Why did they hide the best song? Anyway, this one gets thrashin' and more interesting from a guitar standpoint. Very cool! I only wish there was more of it here. Since the track's not listed, I don't even know what to call it. But it's great!
Between the last listed track and the bonus cut, there is about 6 minutes of talking where the vocalist leads the unbeliever through the basics of salvation, followed by the believer's prayer and some practical advice for the new Christian. Unfortunately, I have a bone to pick with some of this, however. Of the four things that our young brother is instructed to do, one of them is to seek the gift of tongues. Also, in the song "Exfoliate", the gift of tongues is called "the prize possession". Not to be down on tongues at all, but I Cor. 14 is pretty clear about it not being among the things at the top of the Christian's priority list. As far as the album goes, this is a relatively minor point, but I am forced to disagree with the emphasis put on this gift. Otherwise, I do need to mention that the lyrics and ministry are great. "Bum rush Satan now" are lyrics that I have no problem with at whatsoever. Also, the front of the bands shirts say not Prophecy, but "JESUS", and I have seen people saved at their shows. They certainly do have their hearts in the right place, and the ministry is for real.
So as usual, I've picked nits and made too much of the little problems I have with the music. On the whole, this is well done and sounds great, even if it does get monotonous at times.
6.5/10
Other coverage for this album
Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by MuchIt is very hard to be truly original these days, but I always like to hear a hard-fisted effort to attain it. I didn't experience that here. From the bands title I expected to hear industrial metal...it wasn't. The band states they are hard-core style on their website, I FULLY disagree. I'm safe to say this is mid-paced thrash (PANTERA, SIX FEET DEEP) musically with aggressive vocals. I don't…
