Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Prowler Inc.
Title
Pay The Fiddler
Type
LP/EP
Company
Man In Black Music
YOR
2005
Style
Power
8/17/2005 - Review by: Eric Compton
Prowler Inc. - Pay The Fiddler - 2005 - Man In Black Music

Track Listing
1. Mountains Of Madness
2. Marching On Your Head
3. Pay The Fiddler
4. Minor In Possession
5. Mortis
6. Killer By Night
It is absolutely crazy to see something in this kind of "cult status" come out of the United States, the Pacific Northwest I might add. Prower Inc. make their home on true metal label Man In Black Music, a label that specializes in power and progressive goods. Their roster of talent includes bands like Babylon, Celestial Dawn, and Wild Dogs. Prowler Inc. fits into this stable perfectly, with their blend of true and powerful tunes creating the perfect formula for success, with "Pay The Fiddler" a rather short but nonetheless enjoyable ride.

The band is made up of Brad Kubik (Drums,Vocals), Al Rhay (Guitars), Ed Jensen (Bass), and Don McBee (Guitar). Musically the band are really hard to narrow down to just one element, with bands like Skyclad, Annihilator, and Force Of Evil all coming to mind during playback. The band mostly relies on groovy stylings, with the vocals of Kubik hitting highs and lows much like Wade Black and Tim Owens.

The production on this record doesn't quite display the band's heaviness or flash, with the production here being somewhat muddy and fuzzy. Nevertheless the group create six good tracks that emphasize groove, vocals, and some quick, punchy rhythm.
"Mountains Of Madness" is an extremely effective opener, with Kubik in high gear right out of the gate. His voice is really sadistic and vengeful here, with string man McBee backing him with a steady, heavy riff that stays pro-active throughout. "Marching On Your Head" adds in a good bit of Sabbath doom and gloom, at times sounding like Detroit's shock rockers Halloween. Other favorite cuts for me are the title track and "Mortis".

Bottom Line - Great kickstarter for me! Prowler Inc. are a very enjoyable band with their eyes on the future. I'd like to see better production and more horror themed songwriting.


--EC 07.18.05
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: PROWLER INC.
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Pay The Fiddler
2005
Man In Black Music
Eric Compton8/17/2005
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: PROWLER INC.
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