Rough Edge: Witchery CD Reviews

WITCHERY

"Don't Fear the Reaper" (Century Media; 2006)

Witchery’s “Don’t Fear the Reaper” was recorded back in 2004, but only released in 2006. That’s a long time to wait for something that ended up being on a lot of critic’s “top” lists for 2006. It was a few slots shy of making my “Top Ten of 2006.” Upon its release, “Don’t Fear the Reaper” was something that rarely left my CD player and I frequently re-visit it now.

The pace on “Don’t Fear the Reaper” is generally slower and more groove-oriented than Witchery’s past efforts, but this is actually the album’s strength as it results in a catchy, crushing set of tracks that successfully blend classic melo-death, death, and neo-thrash. Faster numbers like “Plauge Rider” and “Cannon Fodder” show that Witchery can still play quick tempo thrash-fests with vim and vigor. Toxine’s black metal-ish rasp still provides the unique contrast that makes Witchery so much fun to listen to.

“Don’t Fear the Reaper” is a solid disc from beginning to end – a certainly one of the most consistently enjoyable listening experiences from any album released in 2006.

For a bonus track Witchery, digging into Richard Corpse’s past, cover Satanic Slaughter’s “Legion of Hades.”

“Don’t Fear the Reaper” was produced by Witchery and Berno Paulson; the disc was mixed by Tue Madsen.

Witchery: Toxine on vocals, Patrik Jensen and Richard Corpse on guitars, Sharlee D’Angelo on bass, and Martin Axenrot on drums.

"Don't Fear the Reaper" (Century Media; 2006)

Reviewed by Snidermann

Witchery's "Don't Fear The Reaper" is an interesting collection of dark and twisted tunes that earned immediate inclusion on my iPod's A-list rotation.

Witchery's music is deep and very well performed. This band from Sweden is highly talented and the music has a mysterious edge that is very captivating. One of the things that kept my attention was the way the band presented their musical image throughout each and every song.

This is their fourth CD and, if the others are half as good as this one, their entire catalog should be on every metalhead's list. Yet another band that I have recently discovered and now have to go out and buy their entire catalog.

If you like your music hard and dark, Witchery is right up your alley.

Witchery: Toxine on vocals, Patrik Jensen and Richard Corpse on guitars, Sharlee D’Angelo on bass, and Martin Axenrot on drums.

"Don't Fear the Reaper" (Century Media; 2006)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Witchery is a Swedish all-star band of sorts (but then again, aren't most Swedish metal acts all-star bands?) comprised of members of The Haunted and Arch Enemy. The band's latest endeavor is a 14-track metal tour-de-force.

While not nearly as engaging or hair-raising as the member's main outfits, "Don't Fear the Reaper" still manages to excite with a blistering barrage of instrumentals that slowly build to mighty slabs of metal like "Disturbing the Peace" and "War Piece," as well as molten vocals on numbers like "Styx" and the relentless "Cannon Fodder."

Providing very simple yet very heavy nuggets of metal throughout, Witchery almost goes the Entombed route on this offering, unveiling a savage thrash assault intertwined with slower, groovier crushers guaranteed to hold you over until these guys return to their main projects.

Horns up, indeed.

Witchery: Toxine on vocals, Patrik Jensen and Richard Corpse on guitars, Sharlee D’Angelo on bass, and Martin Axenrot on drums.

"Symphony For the Devil" (Necropolis; 2001)

Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter

In the past I had easily dismissed Witchery as under-produced, half-assed melodic death metal after hearing a couple of tracks from their debut "Restless & Dead." In some respects I was right as I found very few people willing to argue me on my assessment (perhaps I was discussing this point with people as clueless as I was...?). In any case, I never found Witchery to be bad, but I never found myself wishing I could hear their material on a more regular basis.

However, my perception of Witchery started to change once I had a chance to listen to all of "Restless & Dead" repeatedly. Then with "Hot, Dead, & Ready" I fell hard for Witchery's over-done brand of horror-tinged metal. My like of Witchery is now full-fledged as "Symphony For The Devil" confirms all my previous impressions.

Although little is new with Witchery and "Symphony For The Devil," the band continues to rock hard in every aspect. Witchery gives the straight-forward aggression like that of Motorhead surprising twists with classic power metal and melodic death metal. While still retaining all of their powerful aggression "Symphony For The Devil" probably has a bit more ornamentation than their previous efforts; however, it never strays far from the Witchery formula.

Toxine's raspy vocals continue to separate him from others in the melodic death metal genre. Richard Corpse's lead guitar work is blistering and exciting if not unoriginal. Jensen's rhythm guitar is spotless. Sharlee D'Angelo and new drummer Martin Axe are solid throughout.

If you've heard Witchery before you are not going to be surprised by "Symphony For The Devil."

"Symphony For The Devil" was produced by Witchery and Berno Paulson. The production is absolutely fabulous.

Witchery is Toxine on vocals, Jensen on rhythm guitar, Richard Corpse on lead guitar, Sharlee D'Angelo on bass, and Martin Axe on drums. Hank Sherman of Mercyful Fate fame plays lead guitar on "Hearse Of The Pharos."

For more information visit http://www.witchery.org.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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