PSYCHOPRISM
“R.I.S.E.”
Album Review by Iron Mathew

9.5/10

Psychoprism are a heavy power metal band from the USA formed in 2012 releasing their debut E.P. ‘Bloodlines’ in 2014, and their first full length album ‘Creation’ in 2016. The bands sophomore album ‘R.I.S.E.’ was released in 2021.

The sound of Psychoprism is classic American power metal, blended with traditional metal, and integrated with a wide array of progressive dynamics, making for a very big, bold, and epic feel. The new album stands proud at over an hour in length, featuring eleven heavy hitting and infectious songs. The one minute intro ‘Resistance’ is a crescendo building, tension filled, atmospheric lead in to the opening song ‘Struggle’ – a full on, pedal to the metal gallop. The smell of traditional foot on the monitor heavy metal fills the air as ‘Struggle’ strides on, causing heads everywhere to vigorously nod back and forth. ‘Faultline’ maintains the albums addictive head banging beginning, albeit with a much more melodic and catchy nature. And after five years, Psychoprism have lost none of their infectious prowess. The bands sound is crystal clear, with a major cinematic, symphonic, and epic feel to the guitar solos.

The album progresses with the heaviest song heard so far – ‘Beyond The Perceived’. A bustling nature takes over the airways, a touch of the progressive nature of metal comes to the fore, with a mild crunch style guitar sound. On their previous album ‘Creation’, Psychoprism displayed a very adventurous side to their musical direction – a direction that hasn’t been lost here, the band continuing to push the boundaries of their chosen genre. And over the boundary we go with the anthemic foot stomper ‘Devil In The Details’. All pace dissipates as ‘Devil In The Details’ takes on a measured majestic march. The superb guitar work that was a major highlight of the bands debut album, is also a major highlight here too. Bands such as Manowar, Sabaton, and Powerwolf are the kings of anthemic metal, Psychoprism doing their utmost with ‘Devil In The Details’ to stand shoulder to shoulder with these legends.

‘The Answer Will Come’ restores the earlier pace, along with a melodious intent higher than heard anywhere on the album so far. Head noddingly addictive, ‘The Answer Will Come’ will appeal equally to fans of the hard rock genre as well as heavy metal – the band once again crossing boundaries with ease. Title song ‘R.I.S.E.’ is one of the albums heaviest hitters, displaying a head bangingly punchy rhythm. And the chorus – sing a long able or what! Since it began, ‘R.I.S.E.’ (the album) has been overly infectious, inciting a “can’t stop listening” attitude among its listeners. Whether it’s the cracking guitar work, the infectious melodies, or the sing a long ability, Psychoprism are, without a shadow of a doubt, delivering the goods! ‘Moving Mountains’ ups the intensity and energy levels, pushing the album more in the power metal direction, rather than the heavy metal one heard so far. Is there no boundary this band dares to cross? Maybe yes, but as far as heavy metal, hard rock, or power metal is concerned, the answer is a defining no!

And with the album moving swiftly into its fourth quarter, ‘Go Down Fighting’ maintains the albums recent power metal flourish. Although the bands progressive tendencies do have a say in the sound of ‘Go Down Fighting’. And the chorus too has a rabble rousing call to arms feel – a feel that will undoubtedly have the crowd in a live arena all singing along in unison. Thundering into sight, ‘Turbulence’ opens with a furious blast of harsh heavy metal, progressively switching gears as it rocks and rolls to a conclusion. Part of the songs spoken word intro indicated “entering an area of extreme turbulence” – and it wasn’t wrong! ‘Turbulence’ is gonna please the moshers of the world. The final song ‘Opportunity Knocks’, is also the longest song on offer, clocking in at over seven and a half minutes in length. And for the first time we hear the more mellow and serene sound associated with ballads – until the two minute mark when a buzzing guitar riff changes the songs entire feel. Thundering heavy metal blended with power metal strides on majestically, banging the heads of everyone it passes by.

Overall, an energetic and electrifying gallop of power come heavy metal, highly infectious and one hundred percent addictive.

TRACKLIST

Resistance
Struggle
Faultline
Beyond The Perceived
Devil In The Details
The Answer Will Come
R.I.S.E.
Moving Mountains
Go Down Fighting
Turbulence
Opportunity Knocks

http://www.psychoprism.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Psychoprism/

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