Music: Heavy Metal
Website: http://www.witchery.se
Country: Sweden
Duration: 34:25 (10 Songs)
Cool Songs: “Witchkrieg,” “The God That Fell To Earth,” “The Reaver”
Melody and the brutal burgers are two ingredients that are hard to balance within a particular aural dish. Thanks to a little supergroup magic however, the two coexist most harmonious and explode in hellish fireworks across the 40 odd minutes of Witchkrieg, the uncompromising new album from Swedens preeminent extreme heavy metal, uh, supergroup. Its members better known for their commitments (or ex-commitments) to Archenemy, The Haunted, Séance, and several obscure-profile bands, this time around the band debut their freshest personnel addition to the ranks, Mr. Erik Legion Hagstedt, who previously spewed blasphemies for Marduk. He makes a grand entrance on the opening title track Witchkrieg, a guaranteed scorcher that brings Witcherys unholy repertoire into stark focus.
Jagged razor riffs, pummeling drums, thunderous bass lines, and guttural throatwork that doesnt blot out the all-important enunciationslets not forget a melodic backboneare the foundation stones of the Witchery template. Despite the satanic b-movie camp that passes for lyrical fare throughout the album, Witchery are a serious bunch when it comes to the business of exploding your shit seven different ways. If the title track were a maelstrom, its follow up Wearer of Wolves Skin is a heavy metal juggernaut. Its this aspect of the band that sets them apart from the extreme horde; Witchery are a heavy metal quintet who frequently indulge their death and thrash leanings but never stray from the avowed goal of delivering the goods old school Venom-style. Some call it a wonderful blend of genres, this writer prefers the blurb Witcherys music is a chorus of cracking necks. Ha!
Matters get groovy for The God That Fell To Earth where Hank Shermann of Mercyful Fate guests. Oh yes, the guests. Kerry King. Andy LaRocque. Gary Holt and Lee Altus. Jim Durkin. Shermann. Their cameo guitar work is sprinkled across the ten songs here and unless you have the liner notes close at hand, youre likely to miss them. In fact, Kerry Kings spot on the title track is barely felt. For the albums token thrash anthem The Reaver, the Exodus shredders rip out a furious solo plastered on to a rollicking pace. What comes next is a worthy string of rockers, black n roll ditties, and a speed metal farewell titled Witch Hunter. Compact and crammed with action, Witchkrieg blitzes you in the balls with such force, youre gonna feel numb after.
note: 9/10
Tracklist
Witchkrieg
Wearer of Wolves Skin
The God That Fell To Earth
Conquerors Return
The Reaver
From Dead To Worse
Devil Rides Out
One Foot In the Grave
Hellhound
Witch Hunter
Line-up
Erik Hagstedt- Vocals
Patrik Jensen- Guitar
Richard Corpse- Guitar
Sharlee DAngelo- Bass
Martin Axe- Drums
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