Band:	The Prophecy
Album:	Salvation
Style:	Death doom metal
Release date:	January 21, 2013
A review by:	R'Vannith

01. Salvation
02. Released
03. Reflections
04. In Silence
05. Redemption

Salvation is an emotional process. The sound of this album is aimed at, above all, triggering an emotional response. Not overly so and not without sincerity; it isn't melodramatic. As far as doom metal goes The Prophecy create music of poignant expression which immediately, continually and genuinely plucks at the heartstrings.

Evocatively expressed these are five songs designed to move you. While such is a subjective thing and I can't predict the effect that this album will have on listeners, I can say that the performance leaves little to be desired. The vocal delivery is fundamental and a most captivating of performances is captured here revealing an emotive relinquishing of cleans and growls in death/doom style.

From the outset you can hear the ebb and flow of waves, which brings with it a sombrely strummed guitar line and the touching beauty of violin. These are the first steps the listener makes into the tides of emotion that wash up on the album's shores. Beyond lies the slow movement of a sea of melodic doom beneath the skyline bleak with various shades of grey.

Sufficient range is explored to allow for moments with difference of mood, as the opening of "Released" would leave me to believe as it represents a ray of sunlight in the listening experience to pass through the otherwise melancholic skies with a shrill yet hopeful acoustic.

The guitar presence is something which gradually assumes its place within each track; each expounded riff only coming into play once a particular mood is established to elevate the impact. It occupies set patterns as it climbs the levels of the album, shifting from softer strings behind the clean vocals and atmospheric touches to a heavier delivery to bring an edge to the album in conjunction with the death growls.

The gradual pace of melodic repetition can become too familiar at times, occasionally slowing the emotional escalation with a tendency to draw on a similar atmospheric temperament. The pace quickens for the comparatively brief "Reflections", in which the rhythm section is faster at establishing its presence for the no less powerful sequence of refrain.

The one quality that The Prophecy have complete control over is the setting of mood. Salvation shows that this band has the ability to channel raw emotion through careful composition, an achievement not to be missed for those after doom melodies.