Prototype "Catalyst" NOW SHIPPING!

  Description 

"Advanced Aggressive Attitude" describes PROTOTYPE's music and they certainly deserve a "Tripple A" for creativity, melody, brutality, technicality and aggressive musicality as well. Nightmare is proud to bring you this LONG awated followup to the bands 2006 release "Continuum".

In 1994 two remaining members of prominent Los Angeles thrash band PSYCHOSIS formed the original lineup of PROTOTYPE. Kragen Lum (guitar) and Vince Levalois (vocals, guitar), together with a new drummer and bassist they recorded three of their newest compositions for their highly acclaimed “Seed” demo. Critics worldwide praised “Seed” as one of the top metal recordings of the day, even referring to it as the benchmark for aggressive/melodic progressive metal.  After extensive club appearances in support of “Seed,” Lum & Levalois recorded their independent CD “Cloned,” and released it in 1998 again receiving international critical and fan acclaim.

Based in Los Angeles, PROTOTYPE has pushed the boundaries of metal’s status quo. Throughout the years, the Lum/Levalois songwriting team has produced some of the most innovative progressive/aggressive music in the worldwide underground metal scene. The band breaks rules by meshing styles without compromising musical integrity. Their songs boast an array of powerful melody, progression and passion combined with futuristic overtones, while still retaining a heavy attitude. Levalois’ lyrics poetically and often metaphorically explore topics of history, humanity and the questioning of one’s faith. These phrasings are honest words derived from personal emotion, conflict and educated experience, which serve to reinforce the band’s drive and musical direction.

PROTOTYPE has shared live billing with FATES WARNING, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DEATH, HAMMERFALL, NEVERMORE, MERCYFUL FATE, ENTOMBED, EXODUS, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, MORBID ANGEL and GRIP INC., among many others. These professional collaborations have provided the experience and knowledge needed to excel both on and off the stage.

In 2007, PROTOTYPE was asked to provide a track for the then upcoming GUITAR HERO III video game by Activision. Game producers chose “The Way It Ends” from the band’s second full length release “Continuum.” Now part of video game history, the song lives on as one of the most difficult to master on the game, inciting gamers around the world to step up to the challenge. PROTOTYPE has also appeared on other gaming releases MTX: MOTOCROSS, TRUE CRIME: L.A. and TONY HAWK’S DOWNHILL JAM.

The partnership of Lum and Levalois has flourished for the better part of two decades, during which time they have developed local, national and international recognition Achieving regular to heavy rotation on radio in addition to praise filled reviews and interviews.

PROTOTYPE’s music represents the consummate intersection of aggressive and progressive song construction, offering a high-energy performance that showcases exceptional musicianship in compositions that remain astonishingly melodic.

DISCOGRAPHY:
1994 - Prototype "Seed" (Indie Demo)
1998 - Prototype “Cloned” (Indie CD release)
2003 - Prototype "Trinity" (Nightmare Records - North America / Massacre Records - Europe)
2006 - Prototype "Continuum" (Nightmare Records - North America / Massacre Records - Europe)

Get the T-Shirt / CD Bundle for only $25!!
(Choose from the dropdown list next to the "Add to Cart" button) Available in M, L, XL, & XXL. Please specify size in the comments section of the order form.

  Tracklist / Audio Samples 

  Videos 

  Media Ratings 

MY REVELATIONS - 10

AARDSCHOK - 85

Axis Of Metal 8.5/10

DangerDog Music Reviews 4.5/5

Metal Music Archives 4.5/5

The New Review 4/5

Blistering.com 8/10

PowerMetal.de 8/10

Metal Review 8/10

Prog Archives 3/5

METAL CD RATINGS - 4/5 RATING

HARDCITY - 4/5 RATING

SPUTNIK  - 4.5/5 RATING

POWER OF METAL -  78/100 RATING

METAL REVIEWS  - 78/100 RATING

METALSTORM - 7.8 /10 RATING

SPIRIT OF METAL -  16/20 RATING

THE METAL OBSERVER - 6.5/10 RATING

BLOODY GOOD HORROR - (NOT RATED)

OBLIVEON MAGAZINE - 8.5/10 RATING

FRIDAY 13TH MAGAZINE - 4/5 RATING

METAL PATHS - 8/10 RATING

ROCKTOPIA - NO RATING

DIGITAL STEEL - 85/100 RATING

INTERVIEWS:
METAL UNDERGROUND INTERVIEW WITH PROTOTYPE