Pleasantly surprised would be an understatement for Bewitcher’s latest album “Spell Shock”, I had never heard of these guys but was immediately taken by their sound and throwback style, so much so that I had to go and listen to their back catalogue and let me tell you each of the previous three albums are much like this one, amazing. Growing up in the 80s, probably closer to the mid-80s, you had bands like Venom and Kreator whose music was so raw and powerful instrumentally with these savage vocals that seemed like they had been belched from hell, it was brilliant, and these guys are doing a very similar thing but to a higher standard.
The album opens with “Starfire Maelstrom” and Maelstrom is what it is, massive riffs and blistering drums as Von Bewitcher whips out a tasty solo before unleashing his killer vocals upon us, there is a great groovy riff towards the backend of the track that leads to another solo as the track heads to a close. The opening riff on “Lavish Desecration” is amazing, creating a great rhythm for the drums and bass to work off which whips up a frenzy, Von Bewitcher shreds mid-way through with a cool solo while his vocals are top-notch. Title track “Spell Shock” is a banger, with a killer groove, amongst the mayhem, that will defy anyone to stay still, it slows down at the midway point to allow you to take a breath as the band jams in a Skynard-type southern rock fashion before it all goes off again, a contender for track of the album. From the opening “Out Against The Law” is relentless as Von Bewitcher roars his way through the track to a backdrop of monster riffs, pounding drums and a thumping bass line, it’s a little slower than previous tracks but that is just to allow you appreciate the beauty of the track most notably the guitars, they are awesome. If trying to say “Dystopic Demonolatry” doesn’t tie you in knots the track itself will, increasing the tempo there is a ferocity about this one that reverberates through the speakers, a heavy drum beat and guitar riff set the tone here but it is the bass that underpins the whole thing giving it the real heavy vibe, I love this one, the rhythm is infectious, setting it apart from the rest.
The blistering “Seasons Of Foul Harvest” rips from the start with crunching riffs and a killer drum beat that gets the feet stomping, the heavy bass is not to be outdone as it rumbles along nicely underneath it all, Von Bewticher tears it up as usual with his gritty vocals, the track takes a turn around the midpoint when the guitar hits a groovy riff which in turn tees up a cool solo to give the song a nice kick. “We Die In Dust” is a groove monster from the start with big heavy riffs backed up by the massive drum and bass combination, Von Bewitcher’s vocals are as good as ever but with a slight distortion that adds to his overall menacing sound, the song picks up the pace midway through as it becomes a bit more frenetic before dropping back to the groove for the close, this is a serious earworm. Opening to the ominous sound of chains being dragged along “The Harem Conspiracy” is far from a drag, it’s a straight-up banger that is a million miles an hour, more thrashy than metal but a real breath of fresh air and a throwback to some of their earlier material; I absolutely love this, the whole set up of crashing cymbals, thumping bass and reverberating riffs, a ripper solo thrown on and Von Bewticher’s savage vocals, just an all-round beast of a track. The jaunty little ditty “Pagan Shadows” is a nice little precursor to the closing track “Ride Of The Iron Fox”; a fitting end to the album with all the ferocity and menace they can muster; big riffs with a nice crunch with great drum beat backing it up, Von Bewitcher seems to have kept his best till last, we’ll forgive him that as throughout the album he has been immense, there is a hint of AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” on this one but regardless this is a killer track and a nice way to wrap things up.
I was completely blown away by this album, from the first listen it grabbed your attention and never let go.
Bewitcher ‘Spell Shock’ arrives this Friday, Sept 27th courtesy of Century Media.
Review: Conor
| STARFIRE MAELSTROM | 4:29 | |
| LAVISH DESECRATION | 3:18 | |
| SPELL SHOCK | 4:57 | |
| OUT AGAINST THE LAW | 3:07 | |
| DYSTOPIC DEMONOLATRY | 3:50 | |
| SEASONS OF FOUL HARVEST | 4:27 | |
| WE DIE IN DUST | 4:26 | |
| THE HAREM CONSPIRACY | 4:18 | |
| PAGAN SHADOWS | 1:50 | |
| RIDE OF THE IRON FOX | 5:42 | |
| STARFIRE MAELSTROM Single Edit | 4:06 |
Bewitcher are:
Mateo Von Bewitcher Vocals & guitars
A Magnus Bass & backing vocals
A Hunter Drums