Swedish duo PROFANED are a band formed in 2020, to realize their passion for melodic and dramatic heavy metal. There are really not a whole lot of things to say for the band and their experience together, but vocalist Thomas Clifford hails from a groovy band known as THE SIGIL, much more rock based and also worth a listen. Armed with just a three track EP, and with the promise of plenty of music to come, let's see what it's all about.

With brief introduction, "Prisoner of the Mind" begins heavy as all get out. Rolling guitar and heavy hitting drums line the buildup before vocals kick in with a more subdued backing. Slowly the entire piece picks up in to its chorus, which moves together fabulously. The scream heard after that first chorus are both enough to knock you off your feet and metal as all get out. These guys seem to have real command over the balance of these elements, allowing for a depth of flavor you wont find everywhere. The roll of the quickly familiar riffs through the track keep the entire thing bound together very tightly. With no short supply of the hits, "The End of Eden" brings a different deck of cards to the same game. Heavy hits accompany an eerie intro in four beat progressions, carried forward into the track. The vocals, as before, do not fail to entertain and impress with range and creativity. It is actually a feat alone to have range that wide, let alone bring it out in one track. The back side of the track seems to constantly amplify the chorus hit of the song, creating a super powerful statement with its delivery. "Enigmatic" begins as a somber ballad, dedicated to the achievements of WWII hero Alan Turing. It is obviously an emotion laden take on a topic the band finds themselves involved in. The emotion translates to the track, leading to multiple instrument layers not found elsewhere in the demo. Some juicy and apt guitar work is spread throughout the track and blends perfectly with the tonality of the rest of the work.

If we can expect this kind of well-rounded, broad stroke of creativity continuing forward I see no reason PROFANED wont quickly make top ten lists with the metal community. I am going to caveat this big perfect rating with the knowledge that three songs is just not enough by these guys. Their press kit revealed that they have the material for two albums in the works, now if they deliver them to this standard it will be beastly!