Down with the Lord

Holy Life, a Finnish band plying at southern metal, released their debut EP Down with the Lord in May of 2016. While Finland is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, metal exporters on the planet, southern metal doesn't really come to mind as something that is business as usual in Finland. After a quick search, only ten Finnish bands with a “southern” tag are on the archives. Regardless, Holy Life's debut shows a solid go at something usually left to the former confederate states.

Holy Life is comprised of metal veterans, featuring members of Necropsy and Damngod, among others. While these guys can clearly play their instruments well, there really isn't a lot of variation in the so-called southern metal scene. Bouncy, southern fried riffs? Check. Shouted vocals with a forced southern drawl? Check. Rocking, laid back melodies and pieces that sound lifted from Molly Hatchet or Skynyrd (only heavier)? Check. Holy Life stands out a bit with their inherently blasphemous lyrics, though the music sounds similar to so many bands playing the same style.

Despite sounding like every other southern metal band out there, Holy Life's debut is enjoyable enough while it's on. There are some truly catchy moments, yet it's not overly memorable and there's not much draw to put it back on once it's over. I guess if Corrosion of Conformity's Wiseblood is your favorite jam, Down with the Lord will have some appeal, but for the casual listener there's not a lot to offer.