WITCHERY „Witchkrieg”

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 Sweden’s 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 Witchery’s unholy repertoire into stark focus.

Jagged razor riffs, pummeling drums, thunderous bass lines, and guttural throatwork that doesn’t blot out the all-important enunciations—let’s not forget a melodic backbone—are 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 Wolve’s Skin” is a heavy metal juggernaut. It’s 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 ‘Witchery’s 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, you’re likely to miss them. In fact, Kerry King’s spot on the title track is barely felt. For the album’s 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, you’re gonna feel numb after.

note: 9/10

Tracklist

Witchkrieg
Wearer of Wolve’s Skin
The God That Fell To Earth
Conqueror’s 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 D’Angelo- Bass
Martin Axe- Drums