The Provenance
Red Flags

THE REVIEW

Mutation has constantly characterized the musical work of The Provenance, and even on the occasion of releasing their fourth extended work (the first for Peaceville, after previous ones had seen the light for our own Scarlet), this characteristic is confirmed and further emphasized, not only in intentions but especially in the choices made by the Swedish formation. If in the past specific ties with a genre like death metal could still be identified (albeit infused with gothic and psychedelic reconstructions, as well as a seventies feeling), now the situation is less identifiable. This is not an unprecedented factor for the band, as they have always opted for the intersection of different stylistic elements, but if in the past the combinations were not supported by adequate creative ability, with "Red Flags", The Provenance highlight an enrichment of their musicianship, perhaps at the expense of a certain "heaviness" in sound and in favor of a pop/melodic appeal that runs throughout the album and leads to discussions of song form for all tracks. One finds oneself in the presence of independent rock (or alternative, as understood in the early '90s), progressive metal, hypnotic dark, and even some solutions bordering on jazz. To summarize it all by referring to names that could help better define the boundary within which to place the group, we might mention Madder Mortem, Katatonia, The Gathering, Opeth, Anathema, and The 3rd And The Mortal. However, the impression is that this is not yet their fully accomplished identity.