Mask of Prospero – Longing
Origin: Athens / Greece
Release: 27.01.2023
Label: ViciSolum Productions
Duration: 41:22
Genre: Progressive Metal / Metalcore
Modern! Metal core! breakdowns! Djent!…self-appointed scene guards will certainly not read any further after these words. All those who don’t reflexively grow corns out of their ears when they hear the term “modern metal” should take a moment to join Mask of Prospero deal with.
The Greek band has been working on their own interpretation of modern music since 2014, somewhere between metalcore, progressive metal and the occasional djent. The musicians have a lot of thoughts, like the second album Longing proves that the album title comes from Welsh and describes a mix of homesickness, sadness and a longing for the past. The songs are accordingly about social isolation and introversion – and that’s exactly what they sound like.
introverted anger
Mask of Prospero consistently act groovy and sometimes angry, but they always step on the brakes and incorporate calm, atmospheric sounds. In the middle of the opener Divided For example, a synth passage is surprising, like you HERE can hear.
The entire 41 minutes playing time seems like an emotional roller coaster ride between grant and melancholy. Singer Panagiotis Kottaras can certainly growl, but his voice only becomes really distinctive in the clear passages. Exile is a good example of this, the audio sample is available HERE.
Exciting experiments
The young band dares some very exciting experiments over the course of the album. Lament is a core semi-ballad with references to the alternative/prog rocker by Musewhile Kyma creates a beautiful but oppressive atmosphere with piano and drum machine.
Total offers Longing so a lot of variety and the overall concept, consisting of introverted thoughts between sadness, anger and also a bit of joy, works perfectly. If the Greeks continue to develop like this, fans of this genre will soon have to add the city of Athens to their largely northern European music map.
Conclusion
Mask of Prospero deliver us Longing a small surprise package and prove that prog melancholy can also thrive in southern Europe. Musical experiments and the change between metalcore and other genres ensure that the record remains exciting even after repeated listening. 7,5 / 10
Line Up
Panagiotis Kottaras – Guitar
Nikos Letsios – Guitar
Chris Kontoulis – Life
Aggelos Malisovas – Bass
Andreas Kalogeras – drums
Tracklist
01. Divided
02. Hourglass
03. Exile
04. Half
05. Amal
06. Lament
07. Kyma
08. Advance
Links
Facebook Mask of Prospero
Instagram Mask of Prospero
Also on Soundmagnet.eu
Album Review – The Offering – Seeing the Elephant
Interview – Mastic Scum, Asked Harry and Maggo
Album Review – Employed To Serve – Conquering
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