Prophet & Flesh – Harmful Offensive Demeanor

Germany’s Prophet & Flesh have been on my radar for quite a number of years, in fact I reviewed Total Dysfunctional Interest for this very publication way back in 2024, not long after its foundation (has it really been 2 years already?). The band’s; Drummer Christian Dräger, Guitarist Youssef Saleh, Bassist Chris Noll and Vocalist André Schmidt, other releases include Disastrous Self-Perception, also from 2024 and 2023’s Absolute Vertical Impact.

After three demos, Harmful Offensive Demeanor marks the band’s first ‘proper’ official release which is being put out by Who Can You Trust? Records, a label based in Western Germany responsible for fantastic recordings by the likes of Hot Lunch, Orange Sunshine, Lecherous Gaze and The Cosmic Dead to name but a few. This 7” EP is something of a primer for their forthcoming full-length debut which is reportedly ‘already in the can’ and I’m certainly excited by the prospect of covering it, all being well. Three songs and nine minutes means there’s hardly a massive amount of material to get through, but they do say quality over quantity, therefore this certainly bodes well for what’s to come.

‘About Guilt’ off the bat features some very James Hetfield-esque Vocals though thankfully the yeeeeeah’s of Metallica’s Load/Reload era are largely absent. Musically its simultaneously melodic yet hardhitting, musically think Black Metal (ala latter day Darkthrone) versions of Therapy? and Thin Lizzy. This is seriously very, very cool and one hell of an opener. ‘Short End’ featured as a video preview on the legendary music site The Obelisk run by the legend that is JJ Koczan only a day or so ago. The shortest track on the record at just over two minutes, it has a far more aggressive Vocal approach and a punchier sound which eschews the anthemic feel of its predecessor but with the band’s Hardcore Punk influences more prominent, particularly Poison Idea from around the time of their heavier, more Metallic sounding classic Feel the Darkness (1990). This isn’t blink and you’ll miss it Hardcore, this has real weight to it with a fantastic use of dynamics and exceptional performances, as well as a little of Entombed’s Death ‘n’ Roll subtly slipped into the mix for good measure.

I’ve never been a fan of Iron Maiden or Manowar, they are both bands who remind me of why traditional Heavy Metal was never really for me. The over the top theatrics, silly lyrics and bombast are anathema to my DIY Punk/Indie underground sensibility. Though there are undeniable touches of both those bands present in ‘Prophet & Flesh’ and although I want to hate it with every fibre of my being I can’t help but play it again and again on repeat. In the hands of a band like Hammerfall I’d be running to the hills (pun intended) but thanks to the bands immense talents its given a much classier, elegant twist. Another band that came to mind here are Norwegians Okkultokrati who have a similar ability in seamlessly delving into filthier punk-driven rock 'n' roll riffs with a Gothic Rock ambience. This track in particular demonstrates what I love so much about this German outfit, there is so much musical diversity on offer as you delve further into the music. It makes listening to the record such a joy as you hear something new and unexpected each time, its for this reason that this is my favourite track on the EP.

This is an extraordinary piece of work packed with energy and invention, you can tell the band had a blast making it. Stunning.