The Prophecy
To End All Hope (Demo) 2002 No Label
The booklet and accompanying info say that The Prophecy plays "Doom Metal often with complex song arrangements which can go from melancholic acoustic guitar to all out blastbeat fury in the space of a single song". Whereas this can generally count as a description for the music on this demo, the first song is definitely something totally different. When the first trashy melodic black tones reached my ears, I was wondering how something up-tempo like this could be called doom. Cool song anyway. From then on, we hear doom metal indeed, with up-tempo parts that are closer to black and death metal, especially if you consider the rough, rasping voice that is closer to raw black metal than to the traditional vocal style in doom metal. Some references could be very early Tiamat, very early Paradise Lost, while also some parts remind me of Primordial (esp. during the clean vocal piece in 'Cursed Earth') and Mourning Beloveth. After Solstice called it quits, England has another band to watch out for. Personally, I feel that this band has quite some potential, and with a little more working on the songwriting and a little better production, we may expect nice things from that direction. Especially for those people who don't limit themselves to one single genre. I'll keep that name The Prophecy in mind.	1. Silent Descent 2. Till Light Enshrouds 3. Cursed Earth 4. The Killing Fields Approx. 27 minutes
Reviewed by: Heiko Isselee
Ashes (CD) 2003 No Label
The world is in a dismal state. War, hate, misery and famine plague the globe, and hope and solace are almost as hard to find as the My Dying Bride ‘Stories’ Box Set. However, the comfort and joys of music offer great consolation through this doomy existence, and The Prophecy’s ‘Ashes’ is no exception. So, head over to bands website (clix.to/theprophecy), order the album, and damn well wallow! For ‘Ashes’ is a near-50 minute experience of immense passion, desperation, sorrow, anger and grief, from a (somewhat hypocritically of my opening statement) massively promising, fantastic group of talented and distinguished young individuals. The Prophecy originate from Yorkshire, England, the same location that has spawned greats such as Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride, and that may well have produced another great with this band. The band have deservedly developed quite a following worldwide since their conception in 1999, especially in their home country of the UK, and were one of the headlining acts on the infamous ‘Doomination of Europe’ tour. This impressive third release should only increase the bands popularity, and thrust them to high status within the doom-metal scene. On their official website, the band have described themselves as ‘renaissance doom/death metal’, and this is a seemingly accurate categorisation. This mostly innovative and unique album presenting a haunting, bitter and anguished atmosphere of tantalising doom-metal drenched with gothic, atmospheric, death and heavy metal influences. The music is raw though reasonably well produced, energetic, powerful, emotive and heavy, and is very much metal. Featuring, at times melancholic, soulful, clean (acoustic and electric) guitar passages, as well as heavy dosages of thunderous and unmerciful riffage, notably impressive vocals courtesy of Matt Lawson featuring a range of ardour moans, whispers and singing and wretched and dejected screams, growls and groans, as well as sombre and moody keyboards that, though at times sound a little too synthetic, are nevertheless fundamental and affective. And all this and so much more musical and emotional brilliance comprises this near-flawless and wonderful record, with all six slow and doomy yet energetic and moving songs impressing me at least very much, and no doubt countless others; The Prophecy are certainly a band to take note of. From the poignant, potent, devastating anthem ‘The Killing Fields’ to the quick, aggressive death/black metal assault of ‘Blackened Desire’, to the woeful, abrasive, majestic and atmospheric masterpiece and personal favourite ‘Till Light Enshrouds’, this is a top quality album from a top quality, fresh young band, that, with this record promise a marvellous future for them, and for doom-metal as a whole.	1. Ashes 2. The Killing Fields 3. The Prophecy 4. Dawn 5. Blackened Desire 6. Till Light Enshrouds Approx. 48 minutes
Reviewed by: Stephen Burrell
Revelations (CD) 2006 No Face Records
Having been a gigantic fan of The Prophecy since being pummeled by 2003's 'Ashes', I waited with baited breath for'Revelations' to finally arrive in the post. Upon finally arriving, I hurriedly put it on, and gave it a few eager listens. Admittingly, I was somewhat skeptical about this release, having heard much praise and positive reviews prior to receiving it. This had happened many, many times in the past - an expectation of greatness only to be let down by the final product. Would I again fall victim to the hype? Not this time! Not only does 'Revelations' build on the solid foundation of 'Ashes', but it easily exceeds it in every way fathomable. Musically, the band has grown, and are able to more easily express themselves through strong songwriting than ever before. The clarity of emotion is more upfront than in any of The Prophecy's previous releases. The Prophecy have always been sublime lyrically, and 'Revelations' is no exception. This release contains some of the most powerful lyrical content I have ever heard in a Doom release. If I had to compare them to another band, Mourning Beloveth would most easily spring to mind. The sheer emotion that runs through this release is evident from the first track all the way until the end of the album. With a runtime of over an hour, this was not a simple task! My favorite track would have to be 'Revelations' fourth, 'Willow's Hope'. It is a truly beautiful song with inspired lyrics, and a fluid, emotionally charged melody that suit them perfectly. Fantastic. Picking fault in 'Revelations' is very hard, as it is everything you could really expect or want from a Doom release. It is rife with melancholy and filled with emotion. I cannot recommend 'Revelations' enough! This release is proof that the UK will always be at the forefront of Doom Metal. Long may The Prophecy reign as Death/Doom Gods!	1. Odyssey 2. Rivers 3. Cascades 4. Willow's Hope 5. Revelations 6. Of Darkness 7. Broken Approx. 68 minutes
Reviewed by: Toby, www.borninblood.co.uk