Formerly the core of Neo Prog Rock bands Ars Nova and Nepenthe, Matt, Todd and Jamie are back with their first new music in two decades and a new project called Cheat The Prophet. Entitled “Redemption,” it was released on February 07, 2024 and contains five long tracks including one 11-minute-plus epic with guest appearances. The band immediately plunges us into the album’s progressive atmosphere with “Chaos,” an elaborate piece that is a real link between the past and the present. The reminiscences of the Neo Prog period are minimal, as the band develops a very fresh and modern sound, with extensive use of keyboards and rich vocal and instrumental textures intertwining. The choral refrains take us back in time, only to conclude in the finale with an instrumental section combining symphonic sounds and new Prog trends. An electronic-sounding intro characterises “Bad Bitch,” before developing into an irreverent track with an 80s atmosphere but modern sounds. Eclectic and constantly evolving, it shows a different side of the band, developing a prolonged instrumental section that combines the past and present of the genre. “Marvelous World (Losing Season)” opens with the dreamy notes of the piano, then develops into a more delicate track, which softens the tone between the more progressive and elaborate tracks. Valuable orchestral backgrounds and keyboard work lend a baroque touch to the sound. After the long symphonic instrumental textures of the previous one, the band offers a guitar-only passage entitled “Paper White (11:16).” Four minutes of arpeggios and dreamy atmospheres with the acoustic guitar as the protagonist. Concluding the album is the epic suite “Whisper,” which takes us back into Progressive Rock musical territory, always combining the past and present of the genre. The Neo Prog imprinting is contaminated by more modern Heavy sounds, offering a granitic piece with solid riffs and refined keyboard work. The rhythm section, enriched by tempo changes and intricate passages, is solid and allows the theme of the song to develop with technique and quality. The experience of these artists is evident, offering a mature album that succeeds in bringing classic Neo Prog sounds into a fresh and modern context with its own personal touch. Long instrumental textures and vocal parts intertwine, offering five intense tracks that explore the different facets of the band’s sound, concluding with an epic Progressive Rock suite with references to the golden era of the genre. A recommended listen for all lovers of Neo Prog sounds, with a lineup of experienced musicians, contaminating the sound with new trends in the genre.
Tracklist
01. Chaos (05:43)
02. Bad Bitch (08:11)
03. Marvelous World (Losing Season) (06:53)
04. Paper White (11:16) (04:11)
05. Whisper (11:08)
Lineup
Matt Mizenko (Ars Nova, Nepenthe) / Basses, Guitars, Keyboards, Programming, Vocals
Todd Mizenko (Ars Nova, Nepenthe) / Guitars, Keyboards, Programming, Vocals
Jamie Boruch (Nepenthe) / Drums, Percussion
With:
Dan Vitco / Keyboards (3,5)
Mike Zaffarese / Guitar Solo (2)
Jake Schwartz / Nylon String Guitar (1)
