Prosthetic Records

Further highlighting the development of the previously ‘core’ based Prosthetic Records is this pure black/death metal project featuring members of Brian Werner and Sam Molina of US death metal legends Monstrosity. However, even with that slight pedigree, A Symphony Of Suffering shows that not all projects of renowned musicians are worthwhile.

While certainly not a bad album A Symphony Of Suffering, is just simply not great and kind of reminds me of the recent Daath release; a lot of style and not a lot of substance. Due to the synth heavy material, the album has all sorts of characteristics of bands like Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth and even Nocturnus and of course Monstrosity (Monstrosity with synths might be a good description), but the songs are just never anything more than exercises in mildly enjoyable competency. Other US acts like Dreamscapes of the Perverse, Dragonlord, Abigail Williams and even new label mates The Funeral Pyre are giving the symphonic black metal sound a go and simply do it better.

I’ll admit, there is a certain nostalgia to the guitar work (especially the solos) and production, that is pure mid 90’s American death metal, but the heavy handed synths and simple lack of creative songs or ideas just make the album go by the numbers. Even the conceptual theme does little to elevate tracks like “Embodiment of Sin”, “March of Death” and “Oracle of Armageddon” to the level you’d expect of a band with Monstrosity members. Of the six tracks, only “Sleeping God” really kept my attention, making the 31-minute album pass by with little real fanfare or dynamics.

I can respect Prosthetic for signing this band, I mean if you are a predominantly metalcore label, looking to broaden your horizons, why not sign a symphonic black metal band with some relatively established members? The thing is they just signed The Funeral Pyre, who without any real recognized metal names, deliver afar better album.

[Visit the band's website]

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