Dynamics of Creation

Prevalent Resistance are one of the best kept secrets in metal. Blend the artistic vision of Judas Iscariot with the melodic sense of Darkthrone and the varied tempos of classic Burzum and you'll have the foundation for this amazing band. While there are countless bands whose music could be described as having the same influences, Prevalent Resistance meld those aspects in such an understated way as to avoid being labelled just another clone.

Dynamics of Creation contains six brilliant songs, each of which is strong enough to stand alone. At a running time of about 41 minutes, there is no filler to be found anywhere. The structures and riffs are simple, effective and exciting. Even the ten-minute plus "Falling Through A Deceased Eternity" is not only a great way to add variety to the album by slowing down the pace, but a phenomenal song that never loses its power thanks to lyrics that evoke emotional desolation and the brooding riffs to go with them.

To make note of every great riff on this album would be ridiculous. From the first riff of "Raging Heat of the New Dawn" up through the end of "Condemned For the Lust of Life" the listener is taken on an enjoyable and refreshing ride. It seems that in their songwriting process, Prevalent Resistance decided to completely trim the fat and use only the most rapturous five or six riffs to create each song. There is no verse-chorus-repeat nonsense on here. There are no keyboards, acoustic guitars, clean vocals, female vocals or fluff either. Dynamics of Creation evokes power, angst and mystery in a way that is comparable to the forward-thinking Norwegian black metal scene of the early to mid-90s.

The fact that there are no band credits in the CD booklet, let alone a photo, adds to the mystery. The layout is also very well done. This is a rare example where the music not only lives up to the expectations placed upon it by the album artwork, but surpasses them by light years. The sound is raw, thick and heavy as opposed to the polar extremes of lo-fi noise and polished glitz that are currently in favor by a majority of black metal bands.

Prevalent Resistance are a band whose music has much more substance than the cliched nonsense that is unfortunately standard for most black metal. The powerful emotion and fantastic imagery summoned through these songs is what metal should do instead of rehashing the music of other bands time and again.

Dynamics of Creation is one of the best albums to come along in recent years and creates a solid foundation for a band who may end up surprising a lot of people.