The Final Witness // Beneath The Altar // Album Review

Progressive Thrash is a new description for me, and I must admit it grabbed my attention. That is what the press release classed this album as, or to give it the full information, Progressive Thrash/Death Metal. My immediate thought was, ‘How do you mix Prog with those two genres?’ And I have to give it to The Final Witness; he has managed it.

The Final Witness is a solo project created and performed by Josh Henderson, and Beneath The Alter is the debut album under the banner of the band and follows the signing to Rottweiler Records in 2024.

The 7-track album spans 37 minutes, and to be honest, the time flies as smoothly as the sounds transition. From opening track ‘Principalities’ where one second you have that double kick Thrash, Death vocal, you are aware that riff is slightly different to the sound and then you are in this Proggy haze that slid in to your ears and then when you realise what’s happened, you are snapped back to the Thrashy Deth with a jolt.

‘Beneath The Altar’ has one of the more surprising transitions as you are whisked to an almost Pop, Electronic subgenre before the heaviness returns to remind you of what else this release has in store, and fact takes the majority of the soundwaves. Whilst the blending may take you by surprise, it certainly did me. The way it has been done can be described as nothing short of genius and smoother than any DJ could ever wish to mix sounds.

As the album continues, you can’t help but wait for what surprises are in store next, and they keep appearing, not jumping out as that would be too obvious, but that slick movement across and back that catches you unawares.

Beneath The Waves is as good as it is clever and has you listening over and over again, as you can’t help but feel that you have missed something due to the level of depth and detail in the sound and intricacy of the combinations on display.

From what was an intrigue when I first looked at the list of availability, through to listening repeatedly, The Final Witness has created something very special here and needs to be listened to so that you can genuinely appreciate it. It works and it works very well. Listening is believing.

The Final Witness will be released on August 15^th 2025, via Rottweiler Records.

Review: Ed Ford