I’m sure glad to have become acquainted with the band Prowler. They are a three piece band hailing from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, playing a killer blend of thrash/heavy metal and basing their lyrical content around classic horror films. This actually might be a first for a band to base their style and sound solely around horror films, although Goblin and King Diamond have certainly carved out a niche in this genre too.
But what sets Prowler apart is that every song on this EP is homage to such films as Children of the Corn, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Shinning and Pumpkin Head. Now that is an impressive list of horror films created around beautiful music and it warms the cockles of my horror laden heart. In fact I am sure this will appeal to anyone who loves horror and metal as much as I do.
The EP is entitled The New Blood and I can’t think of a better title to adorn the cover of this baby. The opening track “He Who walks Behind the Rows” starts out with an ominous intro and then goes balls-out into the song. Vocalist/guitarist Patrick Best rips into it, sounding so full of piss and vinegar. His vocal approach reminds me of a cross between Tom Araya James Hetfield and a dash of Chuck Billy, but there’s still much more to his set of pipes. This is followed with the catchy “No Life Till Leatherface” and I hear hints of Motorhead’s driving core sound seeping into it; again, a solid number as far as I am concerned.
The bluesy tones of “Here’s Johnny” tickled my fancy, especially the Jack Nicholson samples interspersed into the composition. But my favorite track though is arguably “Bound in Blood” which covers Pumpkin head. Again, another driving number with movie samples mixed into it. You can’t go wrong with this as the closing number on The New Blood.
If this EP wets your appetite, then the news of Prowler’s first full length - After You should help to get you ready for a continuation of this unique hybrid band. This is horror and metal at its finest and as I have said over and over this is a match made in heaven, or perhaps hell depending on your perspective.
Kenneth Gallant, Editor HMS
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