Vale of Pnath
The Prodigal Empire
Rating
Style: Death Metal
Release date: 9 January, 2012
Playing time: 41:52
 

Vale of Pnath, a pit within the underworld of H.P. Lovecraft’s Dreamlands... a kind of unfriendly place. Read “The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath” to know more. Well, you should actually read everything from H.P.L., if it is not already done. 

What about the band? A young quatuor from Denver, Colorado. “The Prodigal Empire” is the first LP after an eponym EP in 2009. It seems the guys have the technique. Do they have the talent? 

The songs are really intense but a strong melodic sense, with inspired harmonies and solos, gives them room for breathing. The compositions are taking the best ingredients and spices from bands and styles Vale of Pnath surely worships, from Death metal, but also Thrash, Black or other dark sounds. VoP has a good Progressive culture too. 

The result is not an indigestible brew but punchy and fine music, tasty as bloody red meat with wine, red as well (take a Savigny-lès-Beaune...). So they already have the talent, they really do. 

Enjoy Vale of Pnath the same way you do with Obscura, Augury, The Faceless, Centaurus-A, Illogicist,...


Tracklist

1. Legacy Of Loss (05:27)
2. Mental Crucifixion (05:26)
3. Brain Butchers (04:42)
4. The Prodigal Empire (03:10)
5. Borne Extinction (05:42)
6. Poisoned By Prosperity (02:32)
7. Time Of Reckoning (03:56)
8. Sightless (04:35)
9. Cerulean Eclipse (06:00)

Label: Willowtip Records
Distribution: Hammerheart Records
Reviewed by: Philippe Leconte
Date: 29 December, 2011
Website: www.myspace.com/valeofpnath