Album Review

Promithee – EP

• 23rd May 2011

Promethee are an immensely hard-working metal band from Switzerland. The odds are, you probably haven’t heard of them, but if you’re a fan of very heavy metal, then you’re probably going to love them.

Their debut UK release consists of four tracks of heavy, screaming, rifftastic metal tunes (although technically a five-track, opener “And Then The Earth Was Shaken” is more of an introduction than an individual song). Although they by no means reinvent the metal wheel, it’s a strong release that drifts between Cradle Of Filth-esque over-dramatic moodiness to intricate, Dream Theatre-style noodling on piano and guitar.

As instrumentalists, every member of Promethee sounds technically incredible, and it is hugely to their credit that they’ve resisted the urge to be too self-indulgent in their skills, leaving all four tracks as recognisable songs, rather than the extended jam sessions that metal bands often churn out. Although they won’t be winning any awards for catchiness, for fans of the genre, this is a professional and high-quality release that ticks all the appropriate boxes, as well as having just enough originality to appeal to the fussier metal fans. If you like your riffs big, your screams loud and your drums (almost) overpowering, they’re certainly worth a look!