Appalachian Prometheus- Appalachian Prometheus

 What is Southern Metal? Its a question I've been thinking about a lot lately. And after thinking long and hard, I would define it as a genre with heavy, bluesy doom-laden down tuned riffs dueling with sun-kissed melodies and leads, A rhythm section that locks into a driving yet easygoing rhythm and vocals drenched with humidity, cigarette smoke and bourbon. 

It came into prominence in the mid 90's and, as a southern boy myself, it struck a chord with me. Unfortunately, it just kinda died out about 10 years ago. You have a few of the older bands still playing it but largely younger bands have eschewed it for more traditional fare. There's nothing wrong with that but it does sadden me to see such a regional style go the way of the dodo. That is, until now. 

Appalachian Prometheus are a band from San Marcos, Texas. They released their debut EP this past Friday and I happened upon it and decided to give it a shot. Now, if you've been reading this blog for a while, you might recall I have opined on the fact that a lot of "Southern metal" bands traded in the humidity of the South for the breezes of California. Well, is that also true of Appalachian Prometheus? Let's find out.

No, It's not. This is exactly what I mean by "Southern Metal".  The riffs are heavy as a black hole and drive the songs into further reaches of humid and kudzu laden crunch and groove. The leads and melodies are serene as a breeze through a Georgia pine and take me back to summers of my youth swimming in the rivers and wondering the swamps of my beautiful South Carolina. The bass and drums pound through the songs and lock into a bluesy. laid-back rhythm that only people from the South can get a hold of. The vocals are scorched with cigarette burns and touched by the sunshine taste of Kentucky bourbon, sounding a little like Lemmy with a southern drawl. 

Every song on here is fantastic, from the driving mania of "Appalachian Prometheus" to the threatening crawl of "Last Ride" through the bass  thunder heaviness 1-2 punch of "South American Aphrodite" and "Desert Pawn" finally ending in the pounding "Landing Song/In Black".  Each song smacks you in the face with loud and good Southern groves sweetened with that little bit of melody, just like a pitcher of sweet iced sun tea that's been sitting in the sun for just the right amount of time.

Again, easily a record that will be in my top 5 records this year and also vying for the number 1 spot. These guys claim influences from all the greats but cook up their own original spiced gumbo in the process. 

Highlights include: South American Aphrodite and Desert Pawn, but this is a fantastic release and perfect to blare out of your car stereo on a warm, humid Southern summer day. I'll be revisiting this record in years to come and I hope these guys have a long career and release many great records like this. 

Check them out at: 

https://appalachianprometheus.bandcamp.com/album/appalachian-prometheus