Photo by: lostprophets
In 1997 a new breed of alternative rock was created in the last place anyone would expect. In the small town of Pontypidd, South Wales, six guys were forming a band called lostprophets.
Now, five years later, their first album, The Fake Sound of Progress, is available and is turning more than a few heads.
The band recently won the New Musical Express ‘Best Metal’ award, beating out such big name bands as Slipknot, System Of A Down, and Linkin Park.
They also won the award for ‘Best New British Band’ at the Kerrang Awards in London, showing that this fledgling group has a promising future.
The group is composed of Ian Watkins (vocals), Matt Lewis (guitar), Lee Gaze (guitar), Stuart Richardson (bass), Mike Chaplin (drums) and Jamie Oliver (programming/decks).
Between these six childhood friends, an amazing new sound is produced on this album, unlike anything heard before.
The style of music and the way the beats are mixed flow smoothly. You can hear this clearly in the band’s first single “Shinobi vs. Dragon Ninja.” It begins with a guitar solo that glides perfectly into a raging beat.
The music has a nice balance between a fast, intense pace and a slower, more melodic pace. This balance creates the catalyst for all of the different instruments to come together.
Guitar riffs predominate throughout the songs, while drums provide the backbone. Watkins’ gritty vocals add a signature touch to the group.
Other groundbreaking songs on the album are “The Fake Sound of Progress,” “Five is a Four Letter Word” and “For Sure,” a slower song with an amazing guitar riff.
The group currently tours on its own after gaining a solid following in Europe, and opening for such bands as the Deftones and Linkin Park.
The lostprophets play in Denver on May 13 at the Gothic Theatre.
The stage is set for this British band to rock the house, with the group bringing its intense sound to the Rocky Mountain region for the first time. The tour will continue to travel across the country.
With a solid following and first album, this talented band is sure to go places.
