Album Review: Ominous Conclusions – Prequel

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Over the last few years, instrumental releases within the progressive rock/metal genre have been on the rise, and like with everything else, the quality of the releases vary from hit-and-miss to some absolutely amazing gems. Ominous Conclusions, based in Lyon, France, is a project of Louis Nas, a composer and guitarist. “Prequel” is a full-length debut by Nas, released on July 9th, 2019.

Well composed, arranged and wonderfully performed, “Prequel” is an ambitious piece of largely instrumental prog rock/metal, with more than enough epic ideas to keep a listener engaged and attentive. Suffice to say, there is more than enough of a variety to keep the music from sounding stale or rehashed. Although Nas’ true calling lies in melody-driven progressive metal guitar, the stylistic curveballs here are fully-realized and sound great. “Mind Control Facility,” the album’s opener, is an excellent example of Nas’ skill as a multi-faceted composer. And this skill just keeps on improving throughout the six-track release. Song structures seem arranged to cater to a string of individually satisfying moments, as opposed to the ideas all contributing to the overall whole of a composition. Even in the most ambitious progressive rock/metal moments, I tend to look for some of the same qualities found in conventionally good songwriting.

Obviously, much of the spotlight here is placed on Nas’ prodigious grasp of the electric guitar. Although the album’s djenty side doesn’t stand any bit above what we’ve already heard from that corner of prog metal, Louis makes himself out to be an absolutely brilliant fusion guitarist. The title track might be my favourite track on the album for this very reason; Nas’ marriage of keen instrumental wandering and tight melodic passages is gorgeous.

“Prequel” is an album packed with instrumental inventiveness and technical proficiency. Louis Nas excels here both as a composer and musician. Grab the album from Bandcamp.

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