Band: METAPRISM
Country: UK
Title: Catalyst to Awakening
Label: Graviton
Year: 2017
Style: Melodic Metal
Review:
To be honest because of the band's logo (the font used reminded me of the Italian Thrash Metal band Methedras), I subconsciously thought I was about to experience some Thrash Metal, but I was wrong, again. This Bournemouth based six-piece has been around since 2012 and here we have their second studio album, 11 tracks clocking almost 50 minutes of playing time, delivering a delicious mix of Modern Metal, Melodic Metal, Groove Metal and even a few hints of Gothic Metal at times. The music is quite energetic, definitely entertaining, fronted by two vocalists, a sensational female vocalist that reminds me a lot of Sharon from Within Temptation, supported by a versatile male vocalist that ranges his tone from growls to classy clean, to metalcore-ish screams, and even some fantastic Heavy Metal high-pitched passages that are an absolute blast, just take as example the fourth track, Incarcerate, which is also my fave, there are so many types of vocals on it that I find it spectacular. Then the guitar work is great as well constructing some seriously metallic lines intertwined with kick-ass solos (both old-school and new type of solos you'll find in current djent or prog material), plenty of groove, and many, many catchy riffs that will stick to your mind. The drums and bass section is the real metal skeleton everything else is based on, it offers such a wide palette of rhythms I'm sure this album will be enjoyed by many types of Metal followers and not only. One of the best Melodic Metal albums I've heard lately, and even though I'm not a fan of this genre, I find this material very balanced between melody, groove, aggression and technical orientation. There's so much talent in the underground... if this band would have the same chances as let's say Nightwish or Within Temptation, I'm sure they'd have another situation.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 9.5/10