Prince Of Failure Self-Titled Review

Prince of Failure

Prince of Failure

Kscope

2026

I need to start this review by letting everyone know I may be a bit biased. Why, you ask? I’m friends with The Prince of Failure, or would that be Princes? I think it’s time for a bit of a backstory and explanation of why this album means so much to me.

I’ve been a huge fan of TesseracT for a very very long time. Then, during the pandemic Daniel Tompkins started streaming on Twitch. I think I was in the first 50 or so to subscribe to his channel. Watching Dan play various video games, singing into a silly gaming headset, working out, watching the channel grow. Being lucky enough to listen to old demos and watch them evolve overtime. And even more lucky to become friends with Dan.

Through the channel I was also introduced to Paul Ortiz aka Chimp Spanner. I got to become friends with him too. Watching him create music for himself, Zeta, or helping bring a harder sound to Dan’s first solo album, Castles. Which with the help of Paul became Ruins.

I was also lucky enough to hear rough demos for some of the songs that grew and became so much more on this album. So, now that you know why I may be biased, let’s dive into the album itself.

Prince of Failure is a culmination of years of hard work. Pushing Dan’s vocals and sound. A very personal understanding of himself as he’s dived inward to write the tracks we are given. Like I previously stated, I was privy to some of these songs in their development stage. Hearing them fleshed out and perfected is something special.

Lyrically, Daniel addresses what it’s like living with neurodivergence. What it’s like to mask while trying to keep appearances. A struggle that I am personally familiar with. I feel like if you pay attention to the message under it, you’ll likely find it feels familiar.

Musically, the heavy riffs mixed with touches of electronic brilliance make the album stand out. Paul brings this artfully skilled and composed sound to lyrically profound tracks. Honestly the melding of their two minds is…. something I don’t have words for.

Vocally this album is Dan in top form. It could be from the Twitch family constantly encouraging him to keep growing, but it’s definitely more than that. Dan is very serious about the instrument he has. You can hear the growth in his voice throughout the album. The fry screams don’t feel strained. The gutturals are worthy of mean mugging. The raspy insanity we’re given sometimes is perfect. The way he can manipulate his voice is a beautiful skill that only training and time can master.

It’s impossible for me to pick a standout track on this album. Each song is a standout. I consider this a masterpiece. Honestly, even if they weren’t my friend and I was blindly given this to review, I would still say this album is a masterpiece.

To say I recommend this album to everyone with a set of ears isn’t even enough. Everyone, literally globally, should listen to this album.

Daniel, you may call yourself The Prince of Failure, and I know why you do, but this is you at absolute perfection.

~Rook