Let me say that the musicianship displayed is stellar. Sweeping riffs and dazzling leads help to solidify the top notch guitar work this band has. Each song really captures the sci-fi concept that Catalyst portrays. One of the first aspects that grabbed me was how well this album gelled together. With a concept album, many times the pacing can seem forced, almost puzzle-pieced together; not here. Prototype tells a very intricate story that uses all of themselves to convey their seamless message track to track. The three instrumentals, “Inceptum,” “Illuminatum,” and “Impetus” all act as page dividers, as they are breaking points to begin and separate distinct parts of the story being told. Of them, “Illuminatum” is my personal favorite as I find it really gives the picture of the heart and soul of not only the band, but the whole of Catalyst in its scope and precision.
As the title tracks starts off, the initial reaction is that this isn’t the typical artsy progressive metal record. With an almost Mercenary and Nevermore type of melodic aggression “Catalyst” immediately raises the bar for the rest of the record. This is not theDream Theater type of progressive metal where it becomes so very structured and/or complex that some of the heart seems to vanish. Instead, what Prototype has done is put all their heart into each note and though technical, it doesn’t come across stale or pretentious. We are treated to a nice lead over halfway through the title track and the combination of melodic aggression, technical structures, and blatantly progressive metal is quite professionally adapted into a totally ear opening title track. The next two songs, “Cynic Dreams” and “The Chosen Ones” round out the first part of the album, and, like “Catalyst”, they are a beautiful amalgam of technical aggression and progressive sympathies that, really, I can’t find fault with. “Cynic Dreams” calms things down here and there with an almost Evergrey feel toward the melancholy, but never really settling to the doldrums. There’s a real honesty to be found in this first part of the story and “The Chosen Ones” really reflect the struggle of that honesty, especially Vince Levalois’ vocals.
I believe “Illuminatum” is one of the best tracks found on this record, not just because of what it displays talent wise, but also because of how it sets up so fluidly the second part of the story. With a hint of both Nevermore and Communic style metal aggression, “My Own Deception” sees Prototype bringing a darker feel to the record, even seeing Vince using death growls to heighten this tone. This isn’t as dark as the despair of Evergrey or the nihilistic crooning of, say, Nevermore, but very much the darker side of the human condition toward doubt, and in this does the song wrestle. Powerfully haunting, Prototype are not afraid to ramp up the heaviness as they display their top shelf riff attack. This same darker take is evident as “Into Oblivion” picks up right where “My Own Deception” ends and then delivers in almost Cynic fashion – minus of course the jazziness. In fact, there’s quite a bit of Cynic-influenced progression laced throughout this record, though I found it hit me more evidently with “Into Oblivion.”
The last part of the record, “Impetus,” “Gravity Well,” “The Ageless Heart of Memory,” “Exiled,” and “Communion” round out this artful work in a smashingly delicate fashion. It is delicate not in the frail sense, but Prototype know how to prepare you for the journey’s end and do so while still allowing our fill from the first two parts. “The Ageless Heart of Memory” and “Communion” gave me a flashback to some of Believer’s more recent material; while not as bizarre, the tracks have that quality. “Exiled” is a straight up progressive thrasher that boldly boasts some Warrel Dane vocal stylings by Vince.
The only downside is the sound of the production. It’s not sharp enough for this type of band. Like Nevermore’s Enemies Of Reality record, this really needs to be cleaned up and sharpened. Guitar sounds like they play shouldn’t sound fuzzy; sadly at times these do. The drums and bass sound adequate in the recording. Does that ruin Catalyst? No, but it does hurt it, as the poorer sound takes away the polish this record really needed.
Catalyst is a terrific record for metal this year, and while some of vocals might not mesh with it all, Prototype have released a dynamic, powerful addition to their discography that is a joy to experience.
01. Inceptum.
02. Catalyst.
03. Cynic Dreams.
04. The Chosen Ones.
05. Illuminatum.
06. My Own Deception.
07. Into Oblivion.
08. Impetus.
09. Gravity Well.
10. The Ageless Heart Of Memory.
11. Exiled.
12. Communion.
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Prototype – Catalyst (2012)
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