When a band pushes for their own sound such that it can only be called their’s, it can easily become drowned down by the simple factor of the band reaching too far with talent that sadly isn’t enough to achieve such high ambitions, but we’re lucky enough to find ourselves in a vast underground sprawling out in all directions. Such, it’s only a matter of time before we’re able to come across an example that is able to execute such an idea with deadly intent. When Prometheus came around with their previous album just two years ago, I felt that we were in for a real treat with this band as their sound was crazy right from the get-go and something that was definitely to be heard. On the follow-up, however, Prometheus sought to go the other direction just a little bit with a sound that is more homogenous than what we were treated to before, but it’s in every way that Prometheus still manages to stand out with this performance that doesn’t heed to the “rules” of what many claim extreme metal functions off of.

There was definitely a cosmic element to everything when Prometheus came around with “Resonant Echoes from Cosmos of Old” which was powered by a symphonic flavor that really brought a special level of enhancement to the black and death metal that was on full display, and it was very interesting for me to learn that this band was heading in a different direction with the very next release. I really feel like there was so much more than the band could’ve accomplished with that sound, but, as if to quell my worries and show me yet again how foolish I am, it’s with all that they brought forth in the seven tracks of “Aornos” that Prometheus manages to show us that just because they changed directions, in no way have they compromised in such a way that makes them fade into the crowd indistinguishable. Tying in with the very namesake of the band with its Greek origin, the very whole of this new effort really feels like an extreme metal odyssey into the very realms of Hades with such exquisite vision and detail that it really feels as though the duo behind Prometheus has been there before. Every given moment of this album shows us a glorious side of what Prometheus is capable of whether it comes as gorgeous but haunting atmospheres, tantalizing riffs that truly grip the imagination, and a passion that permeates each and every facet of the creation without exception, allowing “Aornos” to not only become another fantastic release from this noteworthy act but one that demands recognition for all that it achieves in its runtime.

The very idea of incorporating elements of Greek mythology into music is far from a novel idea in the world of music and has been that way for decades if not centuries, but it’s with a flavorful approach mixed with a clear understanding of the special brand of extreme metal that they want to deliver that Prometheus fittingly proves to be an act that injects new life into such an idea. All that was delivered within “Aornos” is far from anything that many of us would ever have fear of becoming stale for what it manages to grow into within its seven tracks, and it really does tickle the imagination as to what tasteful heights this band isn’t capable of reaching.

“Aornos” releases on July 17th via I, Voidhanger Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Aornos” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Prometheus on Facebook here.