Prototype (band)
Encyclopedia
Prototype is an American progressive metal
band from Los Angeles
, California
, formed in 1994.
), and a new bassist, Stephen Gambina (Æon Spoke
), and began recording new compositions of their debut release, a demo
titled Seed. The critically acclaimed cassette contained only three songs: "Seed", "Shine", and "Dead of Jericho". All three tracks later appeared on two more of the band's albums. Critics worldwide praised the demo and even referred to it as a benchmark for modern progressive metal.
In 1997, new drummer Pat Magrath (Killing Culture, Steel Prophet
) and new bassist Mike Bear were added to the band, replacing Damion Ramirez and Steve Gambina respectively. The new Prototype line-up began recording the band's debut EP, Cloned, which was released in 1998.
In 1999, Mike Bear was replaced by a new bassist, Kirk Scherer.
's song "Battery
".
The band's first full length album, Trinity
, was released in 2002. The following year, five songs from the album were featured on the soundtrack for the video game True Crime: Streets of LA
.
The band's second full length and latest album, Continuum
, was released in 2006. Pat Magrath guested on one track while the balance of the drum tracks were performed by Damion Ramirez. Also, the first track from the album, "The Way It Ends" was featured as a bonus song on the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
.
Lum, Levalois, and Scherer were endorsed by Jackson Guitars
for two years and appeared in the product catalogs. Lum's custom seven string Soloist was featured in the catalog's custom shop guitars.
In 2008, Prototype enlisted drummer Nic Ritter, who currently performs in Los Angeles thrash metal
band Warbringer
. Due to Ritter's commitments with Warbringer, the band decided to re-enlist former drummer Pat Magrath in 2009. 2008 also saw Kragen Lum join the revamped line up for San-Francisco Bay Area Thrash band Heathen
.
Progressive metal
Progressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
band from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, formed in 1994.
1990s
Prototype was formed in 1994, when vocalist and guitarist Vince Levalois and guitarist Kragen Lum stopped performing as the Los Angeles band Psychosis and decided change the band's name to Prototype. They quickly hired a new drummer, Damion Ramirez (Fathom, Capitol Eye, Long Beach ShortbusLong Beach Shortbus
Long Beach Shortbus was a reggae-influenced punk band from Long Beach, California. The band consists of four regular members: RAS-1 , Trey Pangborn , Eric Wilson and Damion Ramirez...
), and a new bassist, Stephen Gambina (Æon Spoke
Æon Spoke
Æon Spoke is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles. It was created by members of Cynic and former members of Death, Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert, when they relocated from Miami to Los Angeles....
), and began recording new compositions of their debut release, a demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
titled Seed. The critically acclaimed cassette contained only three songs: "Seed", "Shine", and "Dead of Jericho". All three tracks later appeared on two more of the band's albums. Critics worldwide praised the demo and even referred to it as a benchmark for modern progressive metal.
In 1997, new drummer Pat Magrath (Killing Culture, Steel Prophet
Steel Prophet
Steel Prophet is an American power metal band led by the founder and main writer Steve Kachinsky.-History:The band started in the middle of the 1980s in Middletown, Connecticut. The group's initial lineup consisted of Kachinsky on guitar, Gary Stocking on vocals, Wayne Faircloth on bass, and Harry...
) and new bassist Mike Bear were added to the band, replacing Damion Ramirez and Steve Gambina respectively. The new Prototype line-up began recording the band's debut EP, Cloned, which was released in 1998.
In 1999, Mike Bear was replaced by a new bassist, Kirk Scherer.
2000s
In 2002, Pat Magrath left Prototype. The same year, the band appeared on Phantom Lords - A Tribute to Metallica covering MetallicaMetallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
's song "Battery
Battery (song)
"Battery" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It is the opening track and was released as the second single from their third album, Master of Puppets.-Structure:...
".
The band's first full length album, Trinity
Trinity (Prototype album)
Trinity is the debut album by American heavy metal band Prototype. The album was released in 2002 following up from their 1998 EP Cloned. When the album was released in the U.S...
, was released in 2002. The following year, five songs from the album were featured on the soundtrack for the video game True Crime: Streets of LA
True Crime: Streets of LA
True Crime: Streets of LA is an action-adventure video game developed by Luxoflux and published by Activision for the Xbox, PlayStation 2 and GameCube in November 2003 and the first game in the True Crime series...
.
The band's second full length and latest album, Continuum
Continuum (Prototype album)
Continuum is the second studio album by heavy metal band Prototype. The album was released on May 23, 2006 by Nightmare Records. "The Way It Ends" was featured as a bonus track in the videogame Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.-Track listing:...
, was released in 2006. Pat Magrath guested on one track while the balance of the drum tracks were performed by Damion Ramirez. Also, the first track from the album, "The Way It Ends" was featured as a bonus song on the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is a music video game, the third main installment in the Guitar Hero series, and the fourth title overall...
.
Lum, Levalois, and Scherer were endorsed by Jackson Guitars
Jackson Guitars
__FORCETOC__Jackson is a renowned brand of electric guitar that bears the name of its founder, Grover Jackson.-Early years:Grover Jackson obtained ownership in Charvel's Guitar Repair of Glendora, California in the 1970s with a promise to bolster Charvel's business...
for two years and appeared in the product catalogs. Lum's custom seven string Soloist was featured in the catalog's custom shop guitars.
In 2008, Prototype enlisted drummer Nic Ritter, who currently performs in Los Angeles thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
band Warbringer
Warbringer
Warbringer is an American thrash metal band. The band formed in 2004. Warbringer is signed to Century Media Records. Century Media signed Warbringer after seeing them at a local show in LA. Originally, a Century Media rep was at the show to see another LA thrash metal band but decided to sign...
. Due to Ritter's commitments with Warbringer, the band decided to re-enlist former drummer Pat Magrath in 2009. 2008 also saw Kragen Lum join the revamped line up for San-Francisco Bay Area Thrash band Heathen
Heathen (band)
Heathen is an American thrash metal band originating from the Bay Area San Francisco, founded in 1984 by guitarist Lee Altus and drummer Carl Sacco...
.
2010s
Prototype plans to release their third full length studio album, Catalyst, in early 2012.Band members
Current members- Vince Levalois – vocals, guitars
- Kragen Lum – guitars
- Pat Magrath – drums
- Kirk Scherer – bass guitar
Discography
- Cloned (EP) (1998)
- TrinityTrinity (Prototype album)Trinity is the debut album by American heavy metal band Prototype. The album was released in 2002 following up from their 1998 EP Cloned. When the album was released in the U.S...
(2002) - ContinuumContinuum (Prototype album)Continuum is the second studio album by heavy metal band Prototype. The album was released on May 23, 2006 by Nightmare Records. "The Way It Ends" was featured as a bonus track in the videogame Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.-Track listing:...
(2006)
In popular culture
- In 2004, an instrumentalInstrumentalAn instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
version of the Prototype song "Probe" was featured on the MTX MototraxMTX MototraxMTX Mototrax is a Motocross videogame made by Left Field Productions and published by Activision for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2004. It was released for the PC later that year. The PC version was developed and published by Aspyr. It was released in 2006 for the PlayStation Portable...
video game. - Several of their songs, including "Pure", "Shine" and "Trinity" are featured in the 2004 video game True Crime: Streets of L.A..
- In 2006, the song "Synthespian" appeared on the WiiWiiThe Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
game Tony Hawk's Downhill JamTony Hawk's Downhill JamTony Hawk's Downhill Jam is a video game in the Tony Hawk series. The game was a launch title for Nintendo's Wii, and is also available for the Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation 2....
. - In 2007, Prototype's song "The Way It Ends" was featured as a playable song in Guitar Hero III: Legends of RockGuitar Hero III: Legends of RockGuitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is a music video game, the third main installment in the Guitar Hero series, and the fourth title overall...
.