Metal Underground.com

When you think of Ireland and its metal scene, not a lot of names come to mind and the names that do are usually known more for their antics and outlandish personas rather than their musical integrity. Such is not the case with the young, talented three piece instrumental band from Cork, Ireland by the name of Prophecy Within. Prophecy Within is a tight, cohesive, and talented group of young men who hold nothing back on their debut EP “Weight of the World - Part One.”

With the opening track, “Through Time,” you get a real look at how extremely gifted this band is at playing their instruments. Instantly you are bombarded with out of this world musicianship that leaves you in awe, such that is highly reminiscent of Dream Theater’s “Images and Words.” Every member of the band is playing on a level others their age can only dream of and guitarist Ben Deloughry works his way around the fret board like he’s been playing the guitar for decades. “Through Time” is a classic progressive metal track that takes you right back to the glory days of progressive metal in the late 80s and early 90s and fans of the genre will surely salivate over this incredible composition.

“Release the Onset” is the heaviest track on the album and leads off with a fantastic Cliff Burton inspired bass intro from Hugh Deloughry. The song then builds its pace to include tempo shredding thrash metal riffage and brute force drumming from the talented Barry Wilson. “Release the Onset” could very well be a long lost, never before heard, b-side from Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning.” It’s that good. Add that in with even more jaw dropping guitar work and you have a modern day thrash metal masterpiece.

“Cloudburst” represents the only true low point of the record, ending in short fashion at just 2:36. It seems as if it might have been added on as a last minute choice rather than throwing away some great ideas. The song itself opens with a nice synth/piano intro and fans of Dream Theater’s “Scenes From A Memory” album might think they are listening to that instead, since many of the short sections in the song follow the same laid back progressive vibe. The track does include an amazing bass solo and that in itself makes the song worth checking out, but maybe just once. If only "Cloudburst" were a few minutes longer, this would be a flawless debut EP.

"Weight of the World" is rounded off by “The Storms Relent,” which is a perfect example of what Prophecy Within’s main inspirations are drawn from. Imagine what it would sound like if early 80s Metallica and early 90s Dream Theater met in a giant room and jammed for weeks on end. Although, this may be better. The transitions between the softer, more progressive oriented sections and the thrash attack riffing are effortless and all flow together into one epic composition. Ben Deloughry, on his first EP, can already out shred many of metal’s top guitarists going today. That in itself demands repeated listens, just to take it all in.

Fans of progressive metal, thrash metal, or those who appreciate out of this world musicianship must give Prophecy Within's debut EP a listen. Anyone sick of today’s repetitive metal scene who are looking for a proper throwback to the old school style will be thoroughly pleased with “Weight of the World – Part One.”