Artist: Lostprophets

The Pontypridd band are 4 studio albums in and still going strong, their debut album reached platinum status this week. So I'm going to be looking at their secrets, albums and criticisms.

During their emergence in the late 90's and new millennium, rock music was dominated by Nu metal, although it seemed popular, for many people it didn't appeal. Dance music was attracting big audiences with catchy loops and quick drum beats. Lostprophets were one of the first bands to capitalise on using dance music and metal together. A prime example is on their debut album "The fake sound of progress" opening track "Shinobi Vs Dragon Ninja". This album was a testament, even from the name, that they wanted to change rock music forever. Essentially, giving rock the pop element and mixing the calm with the chaotic, became a trend and although the album wasn't that popular, people took notice.

Their next album, really progressed their sound. This really was the sound of progress. Essentially, "Start Something" had began the emo movement. Their singles "BurnBurn" and "Last Train Home" broke them into the mainstream. Their music was on every music channel. The album reached 4th in UK album chart. The album was so popular with music enthusiasts that the next album was expected to change rock music for a good while. They had the potential and the momentum.


"Liberation Transmission" was an immediate hit, reaching number 1 on the week of its release. Singles "Rooftops" and "4am forever" were anthems fit for the stages on the festivals they were playing. However, Ians voice seemed to be less emphatic compared to previous albums, growling and down tuned guitars chugging were replaced with catchy indie style riffs. Instead of taking the sound forward they had stayed still and if anything goes backwards. Some fans would say its their best album, it's certainly their most commercially successful. Other fans would say it was selling out; they had become a pop band.

The most recent release "The Betrayed" reached 3rd in the charts and was said by the band to be the darkest album to date. Certainly it has shown elements of the old days. It still doesn't have the brashness of "Start Something" or the raw uniqueness of their debut. However, it has progressed their sound with catchy pop-like singles that ll rake in the money (such as "where we belong" and "its not the end of the world")and laced together with that grungy style they were recognised for (like "Dstryr Dstryr)!

Only time will tell if they carry on in a decline with their fan base growing up, will they mature their sound or maybe change it to pick up the a young crowd? Time will tell.