:: Prodigal Earth - Zenith II Zero

Prodigal Earth

After the success of their debut release from Diphtheria (2008’s ‘To Wait For Fire’), Cyprus based label Pitch Black Records have returned, this time the debut offering from fellow Mediterranean act Prodigal Earth. Given the small scene in Cyprus, it’s not surprising to find that the members of Prodigal Earth have a strong connection with Diphtheria and fellow Cypriot act Arryan Path, with the line up boasting members of both acts in vocalist Nicholas Leptos, guitarist Socrates Leptos, bassist Paris Lambrou (Arryan Path) and drummer Nicholas Philippou (Arryan Path), with long-time friend Antonis Mavrou helping out as the second guitarist within the band’s ranks. As you would expect, Prodigal Earth’s sound is very much within the progressive/power metal vein and somewhat within the same league as the member’s other acts. But while there are some obvious differences between the bands, it’s safe to say that Prodigal Earth’s debut effort ‘Zenith II Zero’ is of the same high standard expected of them. ‘Disaster 121’, a song dedicated to those who perished in the Greek airline disaster in August 2005, is an energetic opening number that features plenty of heavy riffing, solos and a towering performance from Leptos. Despite sounding a little over the top at times, and sounding a little too hurried in places, the song provides a great start to the album.

‘Broken World’ reveals an Iron Maiden influence with its galloping guitar and bass rhythm sections, while ‘Lonely Gods’ and ‘Crossroads’ lean more towards the progressive side of the band’s influences with their toughened and more challenging riff structures and melodic/low key choruses. The power metal based ‘Once Upon A Crime’ is definitely one of the album’s most thought out and strongest numbers, even if the keyboard tones somewhat weaken the overall power of the track itself, while ‘God’s Children’, ‘The Young Ones’ and ‘Will To Live’ are straight out traditional metal anthems, with the acoustic start of the latter the pick of the trio. Finishing up the album is the power ballad ‘The End (Ashes Of Desire Pt. 1)’, which while interesting, sounds a little too laboured and overdone on the vocal front at times, and the closing strings enhanced ballad ‘Pro Defunctis’, which interestingly enough comes in its original form, and a bonus alternate version where Leptos duets with a female vocalist. Although the songwriting still needs a little work, and the production is a little on the weak side of what’s normally expected from albums these days, ‘Zenith II Zero’ is a great debut offering from Prodigal Earth, and a solid enough foundation for the band to build upon with their next release.