Witchery - Witchkrieg

Artist: Witchery
Title: Witchkrieg
Genre: Thrash, Black, Metal
Release: 18th June 2010
Label: Century Media



Album Review

It's been over a decade since the commotion of guitar squeals and blast beats first poured through the speakers of WITCHERY fans across the globe. The release of 'Restless and Dead' in 1997 put the acclaimed “super group” on the map, paving a caliginous road for the following 3 albums. It's been four tedious years since the release of their most recent album 'Don't Fear the Reaper' in 2006. With a number of their members holding prior commitments to touring acts such as OPETH, ARCH ENEMY, and THE HAUNTED, you can imagine how challenging it might be to consecrate and prioritize each other’s schedules to commence a new release for WITCHERY. However, they have managed to do so, regardless of the split from their founding vocalist, Tony Kampner. Despite the separation from the original member, an adequate replacement has been summoned. With the former MARDUK vocalist, Eric “Legion” Hagstedt, disgorging the vocals on recording with his distinguishable persona, Witchery has definitely exceeded some former limitations they’ve held over the years.

With ominous titles such as ‘Wearer of Wolves Skin’ and ‘One foot in the Grave’, the band has undoubtedly remained true to their roots. Where they may be lacking in mould breaking, they make up for it in strides with this 34 minutes of glorious riffs, pulsing drums, haunting vocals, and all-around satisfying metal. Whether it is brought upon by the colourful multitude of musicians, both guest and stone-set, the new album simply reeks of nostalgia for me. Those nights of mine spent getting shoved around in a pit with the pings and squeals of guitars, heart-wrenching blast beats of a bass drum, and the war cries of the fans in the crowd overriding all other sound… those occasions definitely ring clear in the midst of listening to tracks like ‘Devil Rides Out’ amongst a few others of the 11 track album.

Without a doubt, ‘Witchkrieg’ is definitely something I’ll continue to allow to pour through my speakers. It’s powerful, energetic, and breathes a familiar life into fans ears. I would suggest several dedicated listens; a number massive bangs of your head, and a few shots of whiskey to provoke your inner metal-child. The atmosphere demonstrated in Witchery’s latest release is a force to be reckoned with, a task that any Witchery fan should be ready to take on. And hopefully, a task we won’t have to wait for again for another four years! The album is available mid June 2010 through Century Media.


Tracklist

01. Witchkrieg (guest solo Kerry King)
02. Wearer of Wolves Skin
03. The God Who Fell from Earth (guest solo by Gary Hold and Lee Altus of Exodus)
04. Conqueror’s Return
05. The Reaver (guest solo by Gary Hold and Lee Altus of Exodus)
06. From Dead to Worse (guest solo Andy LaRocque of King Diamond)
07. Devil Rides Out
08. One Foot in the Grave (guest solo Jim Durkin of Dark Angel)
09. Hellhound
10. Witch Hunter
11. Hung, Drawn and Quartered


Line-up

Legion (Erik Hagsted) - Vocals
Patrik Jensen - Guitars
Richard Corpse - Guitar
Sharlee D’Angelo - Bass
Martin Axenrot - Drums


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: 9
Total: 8 / 10


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