Review- Witchy-S/t

Doom metal to me has always been extremely fascinating as a genre. Specifically, like a lot of black metal, how much really cult stuff there is out there. Groups like Paul Chain, Force and others really hit the nail on the head for being some of the best doom for how strange and different they are. Today's group Witchy really channels that cult energy in their new demo out on Temple of Mystery Records.

Opening with ominous vintage organs of "Wicca" the atmosphere here is set just right giving you the feeling of being trapped in a dark ominous cellar. This leads into "A Flame A Soul" which channels a lot of vintage pentagram and vocals ripped straight from a mid 80's saint vitus album. The song is very simple yet effective as the production really gives a vintage feel with the haunting and alluring vocals. "Death of A Witch" has a lot of good bass heavy riffs and has more of a gallop to it than the last song and is yet again, simple yet effective. Finally, "The Purple Veil" ends this nice sampler with some good mid paced traditional doom grooves. There is even a bit of psychedelia that plays in this track. 

Overall, this is a fun demo that has some nice dark traditional doom done in a very convincing way. I would love to see a full length come from this duo eventually as they have a simple formula but know how to play into it with catchy simple heavy songs. You can grab this cassette over at the bands bandcamp page. However, there are very few remaining copies so act fast!

Split Review: Hitter/Midnight Dice- Midnight Hits

Splits and eps are always exciting and this year we are getting slew of them! We've seen Road Rash release theirs and Night Demon have their new single "Empire's Fall" being released (I'll get to that one). However, today we have yet another coming from Chicago groups Hitter and Midnight Dice entitled "Midnight Hits". If you aren't familiar with these two bands I highly suggest you check out each bands demo as both are very confident. Each band here puts one song out on each side and they are bangers.

Midnight Dice's track "Precious Metal" goes straight for what their demo showed us with some epic galloping street level heavy metal. The soaring vocals on the chorus definitely are a major highlight. Up next is Hitters "29 Levi Slim" which is a complete different beast as it holds onto a heavier punk vibe these guys are known for. The vocals are jagged as hell and the riffs are simple yet cut through your speakers. 

Overall, this is a fun split that is quick and to the point. It features two awesome up and comers in my city doing what they do best. Also it is nice that both bands play complete different styles which makes for interesting listens for those unfamiliar with both bands. I definitely will pick this one up as you should too if you want a nice slice of Chicago metal in your collection.

4/5

Album Review: Kvelertak- Splid

Kvelertak were a band that eluded me for quite some time. They were recommended to me many many times during the cycles of their last three albums but I always just forgot to give them a chance. Finally, when their new album "Splid" was announced, I figured now was the right time to give this Norwegian band a shot. What I found was some of the most unique modern Heavy Metal I have never heard from anyone else. Combining extreme metal, old school punk rock and even the melodic nature of classic rock, Kvelertak definitely sound all their own. However, with new vocalist Ivar Nikolaisen, I can safely say this may be their best album yet. 

Opening with the explosive straight forward "Rogaland", this is definitely how you start off an album. Even though the lyrics arent even in English with just about the whole album, they still know how to make it as catchy as possible. This song leads into the main single "Crack Of Doom" which features another catchy chorus and some awesome straight forward sludgy punk riffing. Up next is a song with more high energy "Necrosoft". There is even some Jerry Lee Lewis style piano in the background here in parts which is super cool. This song also shows some of the more prog-like elements of the band while keeping it catchy enough for a casual listener. Honestly just about every song on this album are a home run oozing with concrete songwriting, enough character to be diverse from each other and almost nonstop energy. From the straight hard rocking to full on thrash assault of "Fanden ta dette hull!" to the almost new wave sounding "Tevling", this albums got it all. Their new vocalist really has the charisma to match this bands energy and I'm excited to see future releases with him on the mic. Toward the end of the album, the band starts to go in the heavier prog territory especially with the epic "Delirium tremens" which is the longest song on the album. While it is an ambitious song, it unfortunately gets kind of lost throughout for me. It just drags on a bit too long for how this album is structured. However, the album ends on a very explosive note with the extreme black metal influences on full display in"Ved bredden av Nihil". 

Besides the album getting a little muddy with too much going on in the end, "Splid" is still an amazing output and still sits as my album of the year. The energy this album radiates is something I really haven't felt in a long time, especially from a more modern metal act. If you want an explosive and unique album this early in 2020, then check "Splid" out, you won't regret it.

8/10