After a two-decade hiatus that seemed to stretch endlessly for fans of the underground progressive rock trio, Cheat the Prophet (interview here) has roared back to life with Redemption—a fiercely personal and uncompromising collection of six songs that redefines the band’s legacy. Released on February 7, 2025, the album is not simply a reunion project—it’s a creative manifesto, a statement of identity, and a cathartic reclamation of artistic purpose. It’s also their most refined and emotionally honest work to date.
From the outset, Redemption reveals itself as an album steeped in reinvention. Gone is the youthful indecision and sonic hedging of their early catalog. In its place is a band that knows exactly who it is—and more importantly, who it isn’t. Fusing elements of progressive rock with ambient textures, metallic riffs, electronic atmospheres, and alt-rock grit, the album transcends genre without ever feeling directionless. It’s progressive in the truest sense: not confined by the tropes of “prog,” but guided by curiosity, experimentation, and emotion.
The album’s standout track, “Chaos”—featured on Progotronics 51—is a fitting representation of this new era. It’s raw and cinematic, layering glitchy electronics and haunting melodies with an aggressive drive that speaks to the band’s sharpened edge. The production is muscular, dynamic, and precise—reflecting the DIY ethos that permeates the album. Self-produced by vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and sonic architect Matt Mizenko, Redemption is a masterclass in how to leverage modern technology in service of heartfelt music.
But Redemption is more than just clever arrangements and pristine production. It’s an emotional record born from the band members’ shared experiences of adulthood—loss, growth, frustration, and ultimately, reconnection. The first three tracks delve into these themes with unflinching honesty, with lyrics that speak to pain and perseverance. Yet, despite the darkness, there’s a vein of optimism running through the album. There’s a palpable sense that Cheat the Prophet is not just processing their past but actively shaping their future.
One of the most striking aspects of Redemption is its restraint. With only six songs making the final cut, the band’s commitment to quality over quantity is evident. These are not filler tracks or half-baked ideas. Each song feels essential, a piece of a larger puzzle that reveals itself with each listen. The band initially workshopped nearly double the material, but anything less than unanimous enthusiasm was left behind. What remains is distilled and deliberate, capturing a rare sense of artistic clarity.
Musically, the album feels very expansive and intimate. The instrumentation is diverse, ranging from shimmering ambient passages to sludgy guitar-driven moments. Mizenko’s bass work remains foundational, but the lines between roles are beautifully blurred. Whether it’s a B3 organ solo from Todd Mizenko or a guitar motif suggested by Matt, there’s a fluidity to the process that mirrors the album’s overarching theme of liberation. Long gone are the days of rigid territory. Here, creativity takes precedence over ego.
The spirit of collaboration doesn’t end with the core trio either. Though the band chose to keep the process tight, when additional musicians were brought in, they were trusted allies—seasoned players like Dan Vitco who knew the mission and elevated the material without diluting it. This approach yields moments of true magic, such as the lush layering of guitar and keys on the album’s midsection, or the subtle textural details that breathe life into the ambient interludes.
While the band draws influence from a wide palette—citing everything from Frost* to Anathema to more modern acts like Spiritbox and Sleep Token—the sound of Redemption is truly owned by the band. It’s not just a return to form; it’s a redefinition of it. Tracks like “Marvelous World (Losing Season)” and “Whisper” balance emotional heft with technical precision, revealing a band that has matured not only in craft but in confidence.
There’s also something undeniably poignant about the band’s return after so many years apart. In a way, Redemption feels like the album that should have followed their earlier work—perhaps even what Ars Nova might have evolved into had history played out differently. In reclaiming their past and embracing the present, Cheat the Prophet has created something timeless. As Matt puts it, this album is the result of “giving 100% and leaving it all out on the pitch”—and it shows.
Redemption is not just the sound of a band reborn; it’s the sound of a band finally becoming what it was always meant to be.
Redemption is available on Bandcamp. Follow Cheat the Prophet on Instagram.
In reclaiming their past and embracing the present, Cheat the Prophet has created something timeless.
