Groove metal is a subgenre I’ve been on the fence about since its inception. When done right, it’s smooth as a fine whiskey; when bad, it’s a parody of itself. Italian Groove metalists, SIGNS PREYER, does it right. Back in November 2022, they released their third full-length studio album, aptly entitled “III.” Eight months later the album is gaining new life with the renewed marketing efforts of MDPR.

SIGNS PREYER originally started as a foursome back in 2005. Over the years they’ve trimmed down to a tight trio. Regardless of the decline in manpower, they have lost zero horsepower. In fact, they may have gained some. “III” weighs in at 42 and half minutes across ten tracks. There are no intros, outros, or interludes. This album is wired 100% of the time—no breaks or breathers.

SIGNS PREYER play with an internal coherence of a jazz ensemble, only one that you actually want to hear. But the band isn’t just about creating groove-bruised rhythms, they also seem really fucking annoyed about a lot of shit. Anger level: nasty and gritty. This is a band you know would light up a venue like a solar flare.

They are at their best when they break into these concentrated jams. For instance, there are about six times in “Grown and Drowned” when the band could have carved out completely new songs. One of my favorite tracks on the album, btw. Another premium track is “Blame Time Alone.” The core riff on this bastard burns like gasoline on an open wound. Then there is this out of the blue Doom shift at the three-quarters point which resolves back into the main riff only to dissolve again into a frankly bizarre ending. I’m not saying this is a standout for its heaviness, but rather for its unexpected movements which somehow cohere regardless of their incongruence. I went back to this track over and over again trying to figure it out. That might drive some people nuts, but I really dug its oddity.

I also loved the opening track, “Guilt Me Sorrow” for its sheer ferocity. We’re talking machine gun riffs; gut wrenching, visceral lyrics; monster rhythm. No wonder it’s the lead track. They could have named the entire album on this song. “Shame” is another showcase track. In case you are wondering, this is not a navel-gazing track pondering the qualities of inner shame but rather an indictment of total fucking loser. Good stuff, this one.

I don’t have a lot of groove bands in my music library. A stray LAMB OF GOD album here and there, SEPULTURA, MACHINE HEAD. The usual suspects. I’m not sure SIGNS PREYER takes the subgenre into any new territory, but what they do they do well. “III” is a solid album, proving the band’s will to live is as least as strong as their dedication to their craft.