Vale of Pnath - The Prodigal Empire (2011)

Genre: Technical Death Metal/Melodic Death Metal

Release Date: August 9, 2011

1. Legacy of Loss (5:27)

2. Mental Crucifixion (5:27)

3. Brain Butchers (4:42)

4. The Prodigal Empire (3:11)

5. Borne Extinction (5:43)

6. Poisoned by Prosperity (2:33)

7. Time of Reckoning (3:56)

8. Sightless (4:36)

9. Cerulean Eclipse (6:00)

I first heard about this band (via Allegaeon’s Facebook page) on the day this record was released.  Anytime I hear about a new or “up and coming” technical death metal band I get very excited.  Technical prowess is one of the biggest reasons I am drawn to death metal, and let me tell you, Vale of Pnath has no shortness of technical instrumentation in their compositions.  

The Prodigal Empire is the first full length album by the Denver technical melodic death metal outfit.  For those who have heard their 2009 EP, this record builds on the sound they created on that release and takes it to a whole new level.

Mental Crucifixion

(really cool riff around 4:49)

This is the best album I’ve had the pleasure of listening to so far this year.  It has everything that one could want in a technical death metal record: intricate guitar work, melodic elements, a brutal drum attack, heavy bass to complement the mix, and a solid interchange between black and death metal vocals.  Oh, and with lyrics inspired by the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie Total Recall, what’s not to love?

"Start the reactor"

In my opinion, the pinnacle of the album is the last three tracks that close out The Prodigal Empire.  “Time of Reckoning” begins with a marching guitar riff that continues without pause alongside the backbeat of the drums and bass.  Eventually, towards the middle/end of the song, melody begins to cut through the mix.  The last half of this song is truly beautiful and any fan of melodic death metal should love it.

“Sightless” is the most brutal of the last three tracks.  I won’t even ramble on about it here.  Just go listen to it for yourself (link below, of course).

Time of Recknoning

Sightless

Every so often I listen to the final song on a record and think to myself: “that was the best song they could have written to end this album”.  “Cerulean Eclipse” is a perfect conclusion to The Prodigal Empire.  It is an excellent representation of all the best elements of the album – especially in terms of technicality and melody.  The riff that cuts in at roughly 35 seconds into the track is my favorite guitar part on the whole album.  Everything that follows thereafter is mind-blowing as well.  I dare you not to like this song.

Cerulean Eclipse

I strongly recommend The Prodigal Empire to any fan of death metal music (particularly those who like technical or melodic death metal).  It is an absolutely brilliant record that has been in my regular listening rotation for weeks (and will probably remain there for many weeks to come).  Vale of Pnath represents one of the brightest spots in American death metal today and I am excited to see what they’ll bring to the table in the future.  Hopefully, they’ll go on tour soon and play their awesome brand of death metal all over the country.  GO CHECK THEM OUT NOW!!

Final Rating: 10/10 

MASTERPIECE

3 Favorite Songs from the Album: Mental Crucifixion, Time of Reckoning, Cerulean Eclipse