Review of Prion - Uncertain Process

I remember Prion from hearing their last full length, Impressions, way back in 2008.  It was a solid death metal album, and since then these guys had kind of fallen off my radar; though we had to wait seven years for another album, it was worth the wait for this one.

Boasting the same original trio for this, their third LP, it’s obvious that these guys have spent the time away honing their craft.  Featuring a darting, stop-start, tech-heavy album, I’m glad to say that this one has soul.  These Argentinians can wail on their respective instruments, but there is a strong emphasis on songwriting, and it shows right from the first track, “Power Obsessed”.  It hits you from all angles, before “Uncertain Process” brings the throttle back down a bit while still remaining true to their sound.  Most of the tracks are focused on speed, and there’s little room to catch your breath on this one (but keep an eye out for a nasty breakdown at the 2:40 mark of “Control Societies”).  No intros and outros to ease you into this one, it’s on from the first second of the album through to the very end.

As for comparisons to their sound, I hear a lot of more grindy Hate Eternal coming through, and a Kataklysm lean in the style of vocals from front man Gregorio Kochian (though a bit less decipherable but definitely not falling into brutal death territory).  It’s worth nothing that Kochian also handles the phenomenal guitar work, so to say the man is talented is an understatement; there’s more runs and sweeps here than a broom factory.  This is all backed by the octopus limbed drumming of Marcelo Russo, who is an absolute force of nature behind the kit.  The top notch production allows the bass of Walter Barrionuevo to add the lettuce and tomato on top of this killer death metal hamburger.

Definitely a band to check out if you’ve never heard of them, and another home run for one the best underground labels out there, Comatose Music.