King of Salem proves that less is more on its latest release, Prophecy. KoS, a project entirely played and recorded by longtime friends Simon Tuozzoli and Michael Petrucci, showcases a preference for the raw, brutally open sound of early Sabbath and Metallica. Don't let the "back to basics" mentality of KoS fool you, however, as there is nothing basic about their songwriting with Simon's barking guitar and Petrucci's cavernous pocket anchoring forgotten concepts such as melody and groove. This album promotes pounding your fist, head or drinking buddy off the dash of your 1985 Coupe deVille just as much as it leaves you thinking, "How the hell did they pull that off?" Prophecy is a well-educated thrashing from a couple guys that know what metalheads everywhere have been dying to hear since 1985.

"Blood of the Enemy" is one of those rare songs that glorifies homelessness, harking back to a simpler time - a time in which we didn't have to worry about saving up for Pottery Barn and could just concentrate on being a Viking, pillaging and such, and then perhaps cleaning the mace we cracked across some guy's temple. Bands could always serve up a bit more 6/8 time signature carnage these days and "Rack of What" delivers it with a side of 9/8. Now, I've often said the only thing better than 6/8 is 7/8, but I stand corrected, especially when a song simultaneously references Van Hagar's "Good Enough." Prophecy is more than good enough. It's 9/8, bro. (self-released)

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