Prion, Impressions
With yet another stellar release from Comatose Music, Argentina’s Prion have come back with their sophomore effort. Impressions is chock full of off kilter time signatures, crazy riffing and drum blasts — shifting from brutal destruction to creative guitar work and tempo changes with a slick fluidity. Throw in the varied vocal delivery comprised of guttural growls and harsh shouts to complete an unholy dish of grinding death metal.
The greatest element to this album however is Prion’s ability to maintain a healthy balance between raw brutality and technical mastery. The equal weight to the various elements on this disc are what really make it an enjoyable listen. It’s no an overproduced album nor does it lean too heavily on one element over the other — it matches its own ferocity with soaring technical leads and creatively timed drums. One aspect to Prion’s brand of brutal death metal is their subject matter. Where the vast majority of their peers focuses on the vile and the disgusting, Prion take on more cerebral subjects including political and social topics.
Clouding the Waters
“Clouding the Waters” begins with over a minute of ambient noise and moans before thrashing riffs and driving drums drown out the brief intro. The guttural vocals are nearly drowned out by the din of guitar riffs and crushing rhythms. There are some incredible riffs throughout this opening track.
Eliminate the Suffering
This next tracks maintains the high pace of the album’s opener with pile driving drums and thrashing riffs. Drummer Marcelo Russo, who I believe is no longer in the band, is unrelenting in his attack — nonstop blasts and fills batter bones from every angle. There’s a great series of riffs at the two minute mark that make for a nice groove. The lead shortly after is real nice, as well.
Mediocre Man
Featured as an enhanced video clip on the album as well, “Mediocre Man” is an explosive track. Kochian’s vocals range form deep, sustained guttural growls to higher end shrieks smoothly, adding a nice dynamic to the song. The lead just before the 2:50 mark is impressive.
Simulate, Hide
“Simulate, Hide” starts off with an interesting change. Light drumming and nearly spoken/growled vocals accompany light guitar work before the band picks the pace back up just before the end of the first minute. After that different opening segment, the band uses evil riffing and Russo’s manic drumming to punch home their lyrics.
This is How Argentina Bled
Much like Sepultura were in their formative years, so to do Prion take on the socio-political unrest of their homeland. Churning riffs with a Cannibal Corpse inspired sound open up the track. There are some impressive tempo changes as the band shifts from frantic speeds to chugging walls of crushing, doomy riffs. The lead at the 3:30 mark is sickeningly good.
The Psalm
“The Psalm” starts out of the gate quickly with driving riffs and pounding drums. Kochian’s vocals work throughout this album is beyond guttural. He strings lines of lyrics along into an indecipherable mass of chaotic growls and roars — I’m loving every minute of it.
Impressions
“Impressions” gets going with seething riffs and beastial drumming as the vocals roar along with them. There’s a bit of a Slayer influence to a few of the riffs throughout this one. Right before the two minute mark are some heavy handed drums that’ll have you throwing horns into the air each time you hear them.
The Numb Voice
This next track carries the momentum well with more heavy handed drum work and thrashing guitars. The lyrics behind “The Numb Voice” appear to be the result of inner reflection. It’s a dark track full of creative drumming and thundering rhythms. The track ends in a high paced assault on the listener.
Pressura
The final track on the album is an outro with string arrangements, sound clips and ambient noises that lasts about a minute.
~ ~ ~
Argentina’s Prion launch into socio-political fueled brutal death metal with their sophomore effort Impressions — separating themselves from the generic, gore lusting pretenders that dominate the genre. Utilizing their own experiences in their homeland, the band melds their collective influences with inventive time signatures and a reliance on all of the bands elements in equal measure into a masterful album.
Favorite Tracks:
Eliminate the Suffering
Mediocre Man
This is How Argentina Bled
Impressions
Additional Notes:
N/A