Artist: Witchery
Label: Century Media Records
Release Date: 3/21/06
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Title: Don't Fear the Reaper Artist: Witchery Label: Century Media Records Release Date: 3/21/06 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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5 | ||
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Abyss's Review:
Wasn't it Witchery who were boasting that they were going to put out like two albums a year at some given time? If they weren't, I apologize, but if I'm right, they must feel a little silly considering this is their first record in...what has it been? Six years? Forgive me for not remembering, but I was a lot younger the last time I had a new Witchery record in my hand.
"One word review: Scorching." Way back then I remember being floored by Symphony for the Devil. I was always a Witchery fan, but that album really showed what they were capable of. In my mind, that was when they went from being a cool band to a serious band (even though I still appreciated the topless nuns). Little did I realize that I'd have to wait so long to hear these guys again.
Of course, my expectations are higher for this one, which is to be expected. The good news is that the album is well worth the wait. Don't Fear The Reaper is chock full of delicious riffage and pounding rhythms. Like their last release they've touched about every genre around, hitting their stride with their classic/thrash parts that invoke everything from Maiden to Priest and Slayer and Mercyful Fate. From the opening of the album with an instrumental, over two minute intro, "Disturbing The Beast," you know it's going to be a great ride. In fact, I can't remember the last time I've heard such an effective opening theme. Usually I fast-forward through lengthy introductions, because they're almost always worthless, but I savor every second of build-up conjured by this track.
The songs are all pretty damn good with my early faves being "Draw Blood," "Plague Rider," and "The Ritual." Suffice to say I think it's a safe bet that fans of this band will spend a good amount of time with this record. Witchery remain on a roll and hopefully we won't have to wait as long for the next one. One word review: Scorching.
Death's Review:
Sweden's Witchery returns! That is great news in and of itself for the thrashing legions who have been patiently waiting for a follow-up to 2001's Symphony for the Devil. Featuring Patrik Jensen (The Haunted) and Sharlee D'Angelo (Arch Enemy, Mercyful Fate) among its ranks, Witchery first starting slashing throats with its blackened Scandinavian thrash in 1997. Nine years later they release Don't Fear the Reaper on Century Media records, and the results are fantastic. Killer riffs, fun attitude, and songs which inspire repeated neck-snapping at every turn, Don't Fear the Reaper kicks some serious ass. I cannot wait to see these new tracks such as the opener "Disturbing the Beast" live. The U.S. version of the album even features a cover of Satanic Slaughter's classic "Legion of Hades." All in all, Don't Fear the Reaper is an album not to be missed from some serious metal legends at the top of their game. Definitely the perfect antidote for metalcore burnout in 2006.
"An album not to be missed from some serious metal legends at the top of their game."
Hel's Review:
There was a time, around the turn of the millennium (I've been dying to say that), when it seemed Sharlee D'Angelo was in every band that came through town. It felt like every single time I went to a show, he was in one of the bands. Now, there are a number of musicians throughout the world who choose to participate in as many bands as they can so that they can stay on the road for as long as possible in order to continue living the dream of being a working musician. And hope that one of them will hit it big. This strategy certainly paid off for Sharlee, whose participation in Arch Enemy has been well worth his while. A similar tale can be told of Sharlee's Witchery bandmate Patrik Jensen, who has experienced a measure of success with his other band, The Haunted. The success of these two bands undoubtedly had something to do with the six year wait between Witchery albums, and I daresay I hope that some of that success will follow them to back to this band and this new album.
"Without a doubt, Don't Fear the Reaper is an awesome album." Witchery has actually been one of my favorite bands since I first heard Restless & Dead many, many years ago. This was further cemented after seeing them back in the days of yore at the second March Metal Meltdown in New Jersey. In fact, I found my very first girlie metal t-shirt at that show, thanks to them, which I still wear often. This was a turning point in my wardrobe, as I was finally able to bid farewell to oversized, ill-fitting men's shirts, which had previously been my only choice. Heck, the first metal show I ever took pictures at (with a crappy borrowed camera no less) Witchery was on the bill. So, my fondness for Witchery has quite a history. And I have been waiting one hell of a long time for some new music from them. In fact, I actually spent a little time hanging out with Sharlee at Ozzfest this past summer and afterward I berated myself for months for not asking him when we were ever going to hear some new Witchery. I am pleased to be able to let go of that regret, for I finally hold the answer in my hands.
Was it worth the wait? Hell yes! It has been so long since I listened to Symphony for the Devil that I couldn't possibly tell you with any accuracy how this stacks up against it, but I'm just so damn happy to have it I really don't even care. It is new, and it is amazing, so that is good enough for me. The musicianship is fantastic, the production is lovely (Hallelujah!), and the songs are both catchy and diverse. The record starts out unconventionally, with an instrumental track that does a wonderful job of setting the tone and the mood. And things just get better from there. As I drive along with this in the car, I find myself often turning around to ask my 1-1/2 year old if it is too loud - it's just the kind of record you want to blast as loudly as you possibly can.
Without a doubt, Don't Fear the Reaper is an awesome album. Moreover, it is the perfect antidote to what I like to call "Hardcore Fatigue" - those times, which are becoming increasingly often for me, when you just know that if you hear one more note of that horribly ubiquitous metalcore sound playing in every Hot Topic across the U.S. and 24/7 on Sirius' "Hard Attack" you will have to do something rash to make it stop. Don't do something rash, put a little Witchery into your player instead. You'll get to hear that mosh-inducing riff you crave without any whiny emo-bitch singing or lame stock breakdowns to ruin it, and you'll get some killer drumming, mind-blowing guitar, and truly evil growling to go with it. Sweet. Buy it, buy it now.
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