WITCHES' SABBATH „“New World Plague””

Music: Black/Death Metal
Country: Spain
Website: www.witchessabath.net
Cool Songs: False Truth Falls, Bloodshed, Stormwrath

WITCHES’ SABBATH chose a fitting band name considering the gruesome history of the band’s country. Spain participated in some of the most infamously bloody witchcraft trials during the time of the Inquisition. Considering the rich macabre history that will never be forgotten in Spain, it comes as no surprise that a band like WITCHES’ SABBATH would pop up to create nine tales of occult-inspired blackened death metal on “New World Plague.”

The band’s bio exclaims Norwegian death metal behemoths ZYKLON, MRYSKOG, and the black/death of CADAVER INC as influences. When I first spun their album, MORBID ANGEL and THE CHASM were the first bands that came to mind. I was not off in that assessment because ZYKLON and MRYSKOG both play MORBID ANGEL-inspired death metal. Most of the album consists of blasting, blasphemous death metal, but keyboards are sparsely placed through out the album. Those keyboard sections combined with moments of harsh, industrial blackness add an extra dimension of darkness.

The album’s opening track “False Truth Falls” is a prime example of the band’s use of electronic elements. The intro to this track sounds like an electronic storm burning through the airwaves. The music kicks in with a riff that is both catchy and brutal, which is very similar to BEHEMOTH’s riffing style. The drummer keeps one pace during this track, fast. Either he is pounding away on the snare during the main riff or kicking the shit out of his double bass during the bridge.

The group’s ability to play at neck-breaking speed but alternate deep, chugging grooves is one aspect that makes “New World Plague” an interesting listen. “Bloodshed” blasts away with speed picking chords that expediently climb the guitar neck and blasting snare drum, but transitions into chunking, bar chord rhythms made for pumping your fist. “Stormwrath” is an inferno blast of velocity, hastily climbing the fret board to dizzying height. The legendary DEICIDE patented this style. The mid-paced lower end riffing combined with the singer’s dry death growls during this track really bring to mind death-cult worshippers, THE CHASM.

WITCHES’ SABBATH’s music is heavy, evil, fast, and diverse, which makes “New World Plague” a palatable album. The diversity of tempos keeps each song from stagnating. The vocals are dry and raspy death growls and the occasional screechy black metal yell. The vocals are sick and twisted, but still easy to follow. No unintelligible, guttural vocals here. In a world filled with MORBID ANGEL and DEICIDE wannabes, bands absolutely must play extradinary well to stand out from the pack. WITCHES’ SABBATH manages to do this.

note: 8/10

Tracklist

1. False truth falls
2. Bloodshed
3. The call of my black spirit
4. Legions of death
5. Stromwrath
6. Silent path to die
7. Deep in the flesh
8. Her eternal realm 1 – empress
9. Her eternal realm 2 – tribute
Total Playing Time: 44:12

Line-up

Eduardo Salazar-Guitars, Sequences, Samples
Eduardo Rodriguez-All Vocals, Samples, and additional Sequences
Luis Henriquez-Bass