ALBUM REVIEW: Definition – Prognosis
The last handful of years has seen British metal really forge a statement of intent on the global metal scene. With an unbelievably strong roster of bands capturing the hearts and minds of fans worldwide, for a new band to hold their own, the competition has never been stronger. A year-on since seriously impressing on the Hobgoblin New Blood Stage at Bloodstock Festival, Mancunian progressive metal quartet PROGNOSIS intend to capitalise on their bubbling momentum with their debut album, Definition, but will this record be the defining moment that kickstarts their ascension up up the ranks?
Sitting comfortably between MASTODON and GOJIRA, Definition is a record full of character, charm and slick riffs; incredibly impressive for a band’s debut effort. Opening number High Road sets the standards high right from the off as riffs soar and hammer home destructively. Danny Daemon and Phil Weller‘s dual vocals combine rather well, flowing from rough shouts to crisp cleans, matching the dynamic nature to the tones from the guitars, and the impressive lead work in the track’s latter conclusion shows the technical flair at their disposal. A solid start indeed.
Definition is peppered with quality across the record’s duration. Album highlights Echoes and Drones, two previously released stand alone singles, are the clearest examples of the quartet’s tight musicianship. Echoes‘ punchy riffing resembles a stampede galloping at full-throttle with Daemon‘s lead vocal lines matching the intensity superbly well and the mid-track interlude, where delicate guitar play takes centre-stage, is a nice touch, showcasing a dynamic edge to PROGNOSIS‘ sound. Whilst Echoes is elaborate in its structure and delivery, Drones goes for the jugular right from the get-go. The final track on the record, PROGNOSIS show no signs of fatigue as they deploy the heaviest number in their arsenal; with riffs packing the power of an atom bomb and sharp vocals slicing through the mix like a hot knife through butter.
Sure there is plenty of quality on offer here but there is room for improvement. Scattered across the record are a series of interlude tracks, three to be exact, which serve as nothing more than stuttering the band’s momentum. Isolation‘s black metal-eqsue tremolo riffing creates a foreboding atmosphere yes, but it feels out of place on the record. Repentance fairs slightly better, with harmonious leads building anticipation before subsiding into the gargantuan epic The Sycophant, but Legacy is the worst culprit by a country mile. An attempt at a spoken-word passage has all the right intentions but comes across as nothing but painfully cringe-worthy.
Eyebrow raising interludes aside, when PROGNOSIS shift through the gears, Definition makes for an engaging and captivating listening experience. Weighing in at just over eight minutes, penultimate track Waste is a clear example of this as it shifts from mid-tempo swirling guitar patterns and soaring vocals to some of the best leads on the record as the pacing surges forward. Whilst it could have perhaps benefited from having some of the fat trimmed from the edges, the track stands as a clear example of the exciting potential lying at the beating heart of PROGNOSIS.
Definition is a strong first outing for PROGNOSIS. Sure, there’s room for improvement, often there is with a band’s first record, but for the majority of its duration, the band deliver the goods. The level of musicianship on offer here is simply staggering, especially since this is their debut effort, and it serves as a solid platform for the band to drive on and grow. It will be exciting to see where they go from there.
Rating: 7/10
Definition is set for release on September 21st via self-release.
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