Family are a band I’ve been meaning to check out since their debut album “Portrait” was released a few years ago. Now this band is not to be confused with the prog rock band from the early 70s of the same name. This Family is also a prog band but play some very heavy prog metal along the lines of Mastodon, Anciients, Baroness and The Ocean. While I wouldn’t say that Family sound exactly like any of those bands, they are quite similar. Merging Remission-era Mastodon with Crack the Skye-era Mastodon might actually be a fair description.
“Future History” is their second album and it’s a concept album about the evolution of the human race. I know, do we really need another concept album about a dystopia future? Well, no but this album feels more honest and less cheesy when it comes to the storyline. Musically, it’s very heavy and at times quite complex. I do like that the band separated the overtly dialogue moments into separate tracks. I’m never one for a lot of dialogue so this makes it easier to avoid after one listen.
While the music is really good, I do wish there were more dynamics. At times, it gets a bit pummeling after a while. Sure, “Prison Hymn” works like a short oasis where you can come up for air but I’d like more of that mixed in. In time, I think Family could learn something from a band like Between the Buried and Me. They have the same level of talent. Even so, there is no denying how strong “Future History” is as a piece of work.
If you are weary of the somewhat lighter nature of most prog concept albums, “Future History” by Family is a pounding, inherently brutal option that takes no prisoners. Tracks like “Floodgates” and “Precident” showcase the band’s heavy riffs and complex rhythms while also being really good songs. The family that stays together, slays together. This Family does slay.
Rating: 8/10
Tracklist:
1. The Dark Inside
2. Evacuation
3. Day Vision
4. The Trial
5. Prison Hymn
6. Floodgates
7. Transmission
8. Funtime For Bigboy
9. Night Vision
10. Precedent
11. Last Looks
12. Bone On Bone
Label: Prosthetic Records
Bandcamp: familyslays.bandcamp.com/album/future-history
Progressive Music Planet 
I was a little confused at first when I saw the name “Family”, immediately thought of the 70’s band, interesting that they chose that name for the band eh? Interesting decision. Threw me off and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Yeah quite pummeling in spots and not the band name I would have thought of for their sound. Very 90’s thrash guitar tones (a la Forced Entry) and vocally Napalm Death and Cathedral in spots depending on the era of those bands you like cuz they changed singers often. Agreed on the we don’t need another dystopian future album but this one has guts that’s for sure. Good call and review, cheers. Always great to discover new sounds!
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Yes I agree, the name “Family” really doesn’t fit how they sound. Good call on the vocals. The harsh vocals on this album are quite harsh and not as “semi-harsh” as some of the bands I listed. Maybe early Mastodon but I think that’s it. I could have used more clean vocals to add more dynamics. That said, I do think this band has a bright future history. hahahaha!
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Agreed, steamroller vocals all the time gets nauseating and mundane after a while. The whole cookie monster metal vocals went the way of the Dodo for me when I was 17 but the occasional heavy cracker vocal track is a good call now and then. No the name doesn’t fit the band but makes it all the more Proggier lol. Not a matter of growing up but grow past the obvious and make use of varying styles and sounds to your music or else get lumped in to the pile of “heard it seen it done it borrrrrrring” file right? And you collapse like a flan in a cupboard. Still I agree, they have the potential here, now to expand and utilize the technology in front of them and do good by it!
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