Maximum Metal Rating Legend

The Prophecy Revelations Company: No Face Records Release: 2006 Reviewer: EC Rating: -

I remember first hearing this type of atmospheric doom in the mid 90s, pinpointing a certain Novembers Doom purchase that I made through a select mail order company. At that time the whole idea was fairly interesting, the slow crushing envelope of creeping doom riffs with deep guttural growls, usually with a heavy dose of keys and some female vocals as well. The likes of My Dying Bride, Anathema, and Morgion made their rounds in my player, however the whole "strive to be slower than the rest" just simply left me shaking my head and wanting something a bit or energetic and focused. Since then I've only kept up with a small section of this genre, mainly the more gothic based bands like Lake Of Tears, Paradise Lost, and Moonspell. I wanted to give The Prophecy a chance as I have read some positive press about them lately.

This Northern England group was formed in 2002 and has released one record previously entitled "Ashes". Now the band is back with "Revelations", their sophomore effort and first for small label No Face Records (Conquest Of Steel, Evanesce). Personally this type of sub-genre just isn't for me, but switching musical identity I can see this album from the doom metal perspective. To that particular fan this record probably has everything needed to make the grade. Slow droning guitars, shifting tempos, deep growling vocals, clean chorus parts, violins, and plenty of keyboards make up the core of the group. Songs like "Rivers" and "Broken" creep through a grapevine of slowed down guitar pacing mixed in with some sharp lead playing. The growling is very early Nick Holmes (see Paradise Lost - "Lost Paradise") with some clean singing thrown in for diversity. "Cascades" is reminiscent of Skyclad with its use of violins and keys to create a textured atmosphere. "Of Darkness" is probably my favorite of the bunch, a rifftastic venture that really hits hard with some Swedish death rumbles (see Opeth).

The Bottom Line - Fans of early Opeth, Paradise Lost, Morgion, and My Dying Bride should find plenty to like here. The Prophecy delivers a black drape of doom and sorrow, the perfect soundtrack to drown in tears.