PRÖWESS – Blacktop Therapy (Album Review)

I love high energy hard drivin’ Rock n’ Roll. It’s my go-to style. I love the riffs, the foot-stomping, the steady drums. It’s my drug of ultimate choice. Bands like Airbourne, Danko Jones, Rhino Bucket and Broken Teeth among many others are all perennial faves. In January of 2017, I somehow crossed paths with such a band who go by the moniker Pröwess.

Immediately grooving to the sounds contained within their EP, Headfirst, I reviewed it, at the time as a writer for Decibel Geek. You can now find that article here on CGCM as well through this link: Pröwess – Headfirst (EP Review). The lead track of said EP, “No Survivors” has been previously featured in a CGCM Podcast Episode, although exactly which one currently eludes me. You think we’d keep track of that sort of thing, eh?

Now here we are approaching January 3, 2020, and the release of their debut full-length feature in Blacktop Therapy. But wait, what’s this? A second EP surfaced in 2018 and completely slipped past me! WTF? Well, on the bright side I now have even more Pröwess to check out with the Roll’n with the Punches EP!

I shall begin this review in the same fashion as my Headfirst mumblings with a quote from the Pröwess Facebook page:

prow·ess – (prouəs) – noun

DEFINITION:
1. skill or expertise in a particular activity or field.
2. bravery in battle

Pröwess is a supreme rock & roll band. We are the unicorn. The dragon. The mythical creature that you thought long extinct.

PRÖWESS – Blacktop Therapy (Album Review)

Forming back in 2016, the roster for Blacktop Therapy looks slightly different than on Headfirst. Still driving things we find Scott Roby (guitars) and Dalton Bowes (vocals) in place. Joining them now we have Curly Staples (guitar), Brandon Chinn (drums) and Kenny Mange (bass).

The title track gets us off the starting line in fine fashion. A little reminiscent of an AC/DC riff at the off as we hear the tires squealing on the pavement. It’s no AC/DC clone though, don’t mistake me there, just a small evocation in my brain at the start. Infectious headbang-able riffs await as the song opens out and Bowes‘ throaty raspiness perfectly suits. For yet more proof on both these points, look no further than the video below for “Lookin’ For A Bullet”.

Blasting on through this powerhouse collection of Hard Rock, “Every Right” greets us next with more of a raucous party feeling. Showcasing a little more of a dirtier groove comes “Eyes of the Hunter” up next. The longest track, “Tombstone Blues”, coming in at 3:53 surfaces in the midway point of the nine-song ensemble. It starts out at a slower pace, building tension throughout, reaching climax in the chorus, totally spent in the ending drum notes.

“Heart’s Desire” steps things up again, exhibiting a sleazy swagger to it. The punchier, even a little reckless “Bring Your Love” keeps the toes tapping and head bobbing. With no intent on slowing down, “Welcome Home” assaults ahead of a ripper of an album closer, “All Downhill”. It’s only downhill because it’s over, but never fear you have the power to click “play” once again and keep cruisin’ the open road.

PRÖWESS – Blacktop Therapy (Album Review) – Meister’s Summary

Well done boys! This album is chock full of grinding riffs, thumping backlines inlaid with throaty, gravelly vocals. It’s a wonderful Hard Rock package with elements of the 70s and 80s yet modernized at the same time if that makes any sense. The album cover has it right all the way. You can just imagine cruising the open road in a 70s muscle car with the odd tree but mostly barren grassland whizzing by as you press the pedal closer to the floor and the engine rumbles as it devours the flat, wide-open two-lane highway. That feeling. That is Pröwess – Blacktop Therapy.

The Charlotte, NC based Pröwess boys scheduled their album release party concert on…album release day! Now, that just makes sense, but I often see bands having the showcase concert quite sometime after the album’s release. So, if you find yourself in town on January 3, 2020, be sure to stop by Amos’ Southend. Wish I could.

Pröwess will also be a feature at the 11th annual M-Pre Party on April 30, 2020, in Columbia, Maryland. Not officially affiliated with the M3 Rock Festival, the M-Pre Party is now in its eleventh edition. The event, presented by D-Toxin Productions, takes place on the Thursday evening prior to M3 and always has a storming lineup. This is my chance to witness Pröwess on stage. Who else is going?

OFFICIAL WEBSITE / FACEBOOK

M-PRE Party Lineup 2020 (Featuring Prowess)

Pröwess – Headfirst (EP Review)

Cheers,