Promethium
We were recently sent through a copy of Welcome To the Institution from Lancaster based metal unit, Promethium. Describing themselves as pure metal, these guys are a metal project made up of members from Skin Crawl, Bodies, Desolate and Natual Thing, using their well-established knowledge and ability to create a fresh new sound. The guys say that people preach that metal’s dead when it’s not, so they’re setting out to prove everyone wrong – so I was looking forward to seeing what was on offer from the guys and this album!
As Distant Illusion gets things going we’re lured into a dark place, a place where a soft guitar line paves the way into the track and builds the sense of anticipation as to what’s going to follow. The softened guitar line combined with the backing drums create a sense that this is going to be something powerful and heavy to behold, and that these opening moments are like a gentle breaking in of the ears, allowing you to adjust to the sounds before the sound properly hits you. It’s when Visions takes over the lead that the full force of the record is revealed, hammering onwards with a real sense of distortion and power and forming that true metal sound which was promised beforehand. The sense here is one of power and distortion combined with an old school sense of catchiness, the sort of thing which propels a band into the spotlight and shows off their abilities in the best sense possible. To me, this is a track which would need to be seen live to fully appreciate, the sort of thing which is going to get the crowd going, get people singing along and make you want to hear more from them, a great start to the album for sure.
Meaning Of Trust continues the heavy and distorted approach, this time opening with that classic feedback sound before ushering in a groove orientated riff designed to get you moving, drinking and enjoying. Powerful from the off, this is another track which has been carefully crafted for the live scene, the sort of thing which will get pits moving and fists pumping. Once again managing to incorporate a real sense of old school power into the track, this is another raising of the bar as regards the album, showing once again that these guys have got the knowledge and expertise to deliver tracks which people are going to want to hear played really, really loud. Nothing comes as somewhat of a shock initially then when all of a sudden the distortion fades out and we’re once again shown the softer, darker side of the band. Forming a sound which is almost ballad like for the opening moments of the track, the soft guitar line which gets things going soon fades out and we’re returned to the driven side of things again, returning to a place where distortion reigns supreme and powers the track to an upbeat and fast flowing level. Despite this hard hitting approach, there’s once again a real sense of catchiness flowing through the track, showing the degree of melody which is employed into the guys music and writing, once again testament to the level of skill within the band.
Tribute To The Fallen continues this approach further, this time launching us straight into a power packed melee of hammering drum lines, pounding bass rhythms and soaring guitar lines, forming the sort of sound which you could well imagine marching into war to. Somehow managing to once again combine a real sense of melody into the mix, the track here seems massively deep, the sort of sound which allows you to hear everything that’s going on but at the same time manages to surprise you with every step along the way. There’s a real sense of Metallica style riffery going on here, but there’s also a lot more to the mix than such a simplistic tag. Roaring vocals contrast with sung lines, the guitars and bass dart all over the place and the drums set the beat for the whole thing, it’s a high point on the record for sure and a track which I highly recommend you check out. 33.1 marks another surprising point on the CD, once again slowing things down initially but continuing to hark at the power buried within. Dark guitar lines echo around a soaring lead backing whilst the drums adopt a syncopated approach, adding a sense of technical ability to the mix to keep it interesting and moving. Another track to make sure you check out, this is one which I class amongst my favourites on the album for sure.
Cycle Of Vengeance, Trapped and The Curse all continue to push the album forwards, each track presenting another unique take on the world of metal from the guys, and all too soon we reach the final track on the album in the form of Murder Inc. Closing with one final hurrah and display of what they’re capable of, the guys bring the album to a close on a high, keeping the pace going right up until the final moments. Somehow funky once again, this heavy finish to the album is as expected, powerful, driving and the sort of thing which you know is going to go down a storm on the live front. After an album of highs it was a given that it was going to be a solid finish, and the guys don’t disappoint, finishing as they began and leaving you with a serious taste for what they’ve got going on.
I didn’t know what to think of the album from Promethium when Welcome To The Institution arrived in the post, but having heard it I’m chuffed to bits I own this album. From start to finish the guys have shown off their skills, shown off their abilities and left no doubt that they’re here to make a real difference to the world of metal. If you only check out one band we feature on the site this week then make it these, you won’t be disappointed.
To find out more about Promethium, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
As Distant Illusion gets things going we’re lured into a dark place, a place where a soft guitar line paves the way into the track and builds the sense of anticipation as to what’s going to follow. The softened guitar line combined with the backing drums create a sense that this is going to be something powerful and heavy to behold, and that these opening moments are like a gentle breaking in of the ears, allowing you to adjust to the sounds before the sound properly hits you. It’s when Visions takes over the lead that the full force of the record is revealed, hammering onwards with a real sense of distortion and power and forming that true metal sound which was promised beforehand. The sense here is one of power and distortion combined with an old school sense of catchiness, the sort of thing which propels a band into the spotlight and shows off their abilities in the best sense possible. To me, this is a track which would need to be seen live to fully appreciate, the sort of thing which is going to get the crowd going, get people singing along and make you want to hear more from them, a great start to the album for sure.
Meaning Of Trust continues the heavy and distorted approach, this time opening with that classic feedback sound before ushering in a groove orientated riff designed to get you moving, drinking and enjoying. Powerful from the off, this is another track which has been carefully crafted for the live scene, the sort of thing which will get pits moving and fists pumping. Once again managing to incorporate a real sense of old school power into the track, this is another raising of the bar as regards the album, showing once again that these guys have got the knowledge and expertise to deliver tracks which people are going to want to hear played really, really loud. Nothing comes as somewhat of a shock initially then when all of a sudden the distortion fades out and we’re once again shown the softer, darker side of the band. Forming a sound which is almost ballad like for the opening moments of the track, the soft guitar line which gets things going soon fades out and we’re returned to the driven side of things again, returning to a place where distortion reigns supreme and powers the track to an upbeat and fast flowing level. Despite this hard hitting approach, there’s once again a real sense of catchiness flowing through the track, showing the degree of melody which is employed into the guys music and writing, once again testament to the level of skill within the band.
Tribute To The Fallen continues this approach further, this time launching us straight into a power packed melee of hammering drum lines, pounding bass rhythms and soaring guitar lines, forming the sort of sound which you could well imagine marching into war to. Somehow managing to once again combine a real sense of melody into the mix, the track here seems massively deep, the sort of sound which allows you to hear everything that’s going on but at the same time manages to surprise you with every step along the way. There’s a real sense of Metallica style riffery going on here, but there’s also a lot more to the mix than such a simplistic tag. Roaring vocals contrast with sung lines, the guitars and bass dart all over the place and the drums set the beat for the whole thing, it’s a high point on the record for sure and a track which I highly recommend you check out. 33.1 marks another surprising point on the CD, once again slowing things down initially but continuing to hark at the power buried within. Dark guitar lines echo around a soaring lead backing whilst the drums adopt a syncopated approach, adding a sense of technical ability to the mix to keep it interesting and moving. Another track to make sure you check out, this is one which I class amongst my favourites on the album for sure.
Cycle Of Vengeance, Trapped and The Curse all continue to push the album forwards, each track presenting another unique take on the world of metal from the guys, and all too soon we reach the final track on the album in the form of Murder Inc. Closing with one final hurrah and display of what they’re capable of, the guys bring the album to a close on a high, keeping the pace going right up until the final moments. Somehow funky once again, this heavy finish to the album is as expected, powerful, driving and the sort of thing which you know is going to go down a storm on the live front. After an album of highs it was a given that it was going to be a solid finish, and the guys don’t disappoint, finishing as they began and leaving you with a serious taste for what they’ve got going on.
I didn’t know what to think of the album from Promethium when Welcome To The Institution arrived in the post, but having heard it I’m chuffed to bits I own this album. From start to finish the guys have shown off their skills, shown off their abilities and left no doubt that they’re here to make a real difference to the world of metal. If you only check out one band we feature on the site this week then make it these, you won’t be disappointed.
To find out more about Promethium, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls