ProtoMythos: In Human Sight

From the provocative album artwork through to the clever non-preaching lyrics, In Human Sight is a well thought through conceptual piece that gets the mind ticking and draws you in to contemplate ideas you might otherwise brush over. The album comes from Protomythos, who in essence are a one man band fronted by Tom Treivish who wrote all of the songs here and played nearly all of the instruments; being aided by Ethan Raz on drums and Adi Har Zvi on bass. Unusually the concept isn't space travel sci-fi gubbins or tales of Hobbits and Dwarves, instead Israeli born Treivish focuses on Animal Rights and the one-way relationship humans have with other species on the planet - whether that be caging and parading them, breeding them purely for food, or the scientific testing that is carried out on them. Heavy stuff? Well yes and no. There's no denying that listening to this album means you will have to confront issues that otherwise you may, or may not, have considered previously. Maybe dismissing them, or that you care deeply about. However what you can't argue with is the craft, skill and sympathetic nature of the gently Progressive music, how it binds to the lyrics and how the end results are an album that captivates, gently entertains and if you so choose, informs in a clever non-confrontational manner.

Often albums in this style are all message and no substance but In Human Sight couldn't be further from there, drawing you in first with subtle bursts and gentle persuasion that almost feels like Industrial gone acoustic. Short spoken word sections and ambient noise often fill the gaps between songs, but for the main it is steady insistent melodies which shine brightest. "We Bleed For Real" is a prime example, a simple yet precise drum track allowing the guitars to build the scene whether they be providing a singing solo, or guiding riff. The title track opens the album in instrumental style, Treivish captivating with a fret tone similar to David Gilmour, but not particularly Floyd like, while little excursions into more riffy territory offer threatening insights and cajoling unease.

When he does sing Treivish reveals a slow steady style that catches the ear and demands the attention in an unflashy way, something the almost h-era Marillion like stroll of "Cage Bound", the altogether more in your face, although hardly aggressive "House Of Slaughter" and the gloriously catchy yet unnerving "The Blind Spot" benefit from greatly.

If an album which combines the slow, eerie side of Nine Inch Nails to more overtly Progressive outfits sounds appealing, then you'll find a huge amount to enthral you on In Human Sight. An album which slowly becomes a genuine, delightful, edgy surprise.

Track Listing
1. In Human Sight
2. Cage Bound
3. House Of Slaughter
4. Inside A Square
5. The Blind Spot
6. Condiments And Blood
7. Science Moved On
8. Part Of The Fold
9. We Bleed For Real
10. Voiceless

Added: December 21st 2013
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Protomythos Online
Hits: 2115
Language: english

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