The Prophecy – Salvation (2013)

Four years have passed since the band delivered their opus “Into the Light”, and now we finally have them back with an even more melancholic and depressive release with “Salvation”. As the band has matured, their sound has greatly progressed and in this release the band focuses more on very emotive vocal melodies and killer atmospheric components that make this album a very bleak and emotional ride.

Matt Lawson’s vocals are one of our favorite elements of this release since they are right at the line between Epic Doom bands like Candlemass and While Heaven Wept and a very natural sound that is full of emotions and feelings, fitting the overall atmosphere of the music very well. Of course there are some growls here and there, but they are saved usually for the climax parts of the songs. The band’s move into more Progressive territories is another thing to note in the five songs presented in the album, making them sound a bit like Opeth during their transitional periods.

Opening this release with a very bleak sounding violin, “Salvation” sets the mood of this release to a very low-paced melancholic one with this 14-minute epic. The strumming acoustic guitars paired with Matt’s vocals make this song very effective since the start. The pace starts picking up and some grows make their entrance when things are at their peak. The riffing is quite solid, with even some more traditional Doom riffs mixed in-between some more Progressive sections.

Release again delivers more brilliant atmospheric passages that are nicely built up by the pulsating bass guitar line and a very slow progression into heavy distorted guitars. The band excels in timing their aggressive sections to have the most impact in their very well crafted songs. Changing the pace a little bit, “Reflections” starts with a heavier tone and a faster climax, since the song is only 4 minutes long making it the shortest track in this release.

Our favorite track in this release is the 11-minute opus “In Silence”. This track has it all, bleak atmospheric sections, killer growls on top of super heavy riffs, amazing guitar solos, and an overall killer pace that puts most of the Doom releases we have recently heard to shame. The band is really at the top of their game with the skill the show in crafting such emotive tracks that bridge so many different tempos and always stay as melancholic as possible. The equally impressive “Redemption” comes in as our second favorite song due to its epic opening and killer riffing sections. Using more growls and a very catchy clean vocals chorus section, this track is another fine example of how good the band got in the last four years.

Overall, “Salvation” is one hell of a release that any fan of Death/Doom Metal should have in their collection. The Prophecy has greatly matured musically over the years and yet they still retain some of their core elements, making their music very refined and extremely emotional. If you are looking for something like early Opeth with a more melancholic edge, “Salvation” is an album you should go and find immediately.

Release: February 4th, 2013

Genre: Death/Doom Metal

Country: UK