𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 — 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗸𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗴 (2010)

intothewellsabyss
Jun 21, 2023
3 min read

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…

13 years ago today, the “Hellhound” signaled the “Conqueror’s Return” and “The God Who Fell From Earth” brought the “Witchkrieg”, clearing the way for the “Devils Ride Out”!

On this day (June 21) in 2010, our favorite Blackened Trash Bastards, WITCHERY released their fifth full-length studio album “Witchkrieg” in Europe via Century Media Records (their second release for the label). The album was later released on June 29, 2010 in North America. Like their previous album, “Don't Fear the Reaper”, “Witchkrieg” was mixed by Tue Madsen at his Antfarm Studios.

This is the first Witchery album without long time vocalist Tony "Toxine" Kampner.

Background:

In April 2010 accomplished Black Metal singer Legion (Erik Hagsted, ex-Marduk, ex-DEVIAN) joined the band to replace Toxine who had to drop out because of schedule issues. According to the press release, the split happened by mutual agreement. "Witchkrieg" (a play on the word Blitzkrieg) was then announced for a July 2010 release.

“Witchkrieg” showcases an impressive line-up of guest musicians such as Andy LaRocque from King Diamond, Kerry King from the thrash band Slayer, Hank Shermann of Mercyful Fate, Lee Altus and Gary Holt from Exodus and Jim Durkin from Dark Angel.

On June 19, 2010, the band played at the annual Metaltown festival in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Critical Reception:

In his review for AllMusic, Phil Freeman writes;

“This album, the fifth by long-running Swedish thrash act WITCHERY, is the first to feature new vocalist Legion, formerly of Marduk. That's in addition to the presence of The Haunted guitarist Patrik Jensen, MERCYFUL FATE/Arch Enemy bassist Sharlee D'Angelo and Opeth's Martin Axenrot on drums. “Witchkrieg” is even more of an all-star affair than the band's previous output, though, as several tracks include guest guitar solos. The opening title track is augmented by some squeals from Slayer's Kerry King; "The God Who Fell from Earth" features D'Angelo's former MERCYFUL FATE bandmate, Hank Shermann; "The Reaver" brings in both Gary Holt and Lee Altus of Exodus; "From Dead to Worse" has a solo by King Diamond's guitarist, Andy La Rocque, and Jim Durkin of Dark Angel plays on "One Foot in the Grave." This gives the album a somewhat patchwork feel, as there's no dominant lead guitar style to augment the band's fairly basic thrash/death songs, but “Witchkrieg” is still a solid disc, and Legion's vocals add a pleasingly creepy/hostile vibe without pulling the band too much in the direction of black metal -- he's doing a different thing here than he did with Marduk, and doing it well.

While, Laura Wiebe Taylor from Exclaim! said;

“It's been a few years' wait since Sweden's WITCHERY last delivered, but “Witchkrieg” makes it pretty clear they haven't been wasting time. Short, but more powerful for its refusal to drag on, “Witchkrieg” is a galloping beast of a record, full of the expected Blackened, Death-y Thrash and a characteristic preoccupation with the horrific. WITCHERY boasts a bit of an all-star line-up on its own, now compounded by the addition of Legion (ex-Marduk) on vocals. “Witchkrieg” features a few (in)famous guests as well (Slayer's Kerry King among them), though it's not the Metal celeb cameos, but the raunchy momentum that makes the record. Midway through, anthem "Dead to Worse" is both climax and summation, capturing the B-movie menace of the whole in one short track. And before it's really had time to sink in, the record motors down, like an attack that's over before you even realize you've been hit.”

Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:

Click this link to listen to “Witchkrieg” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/witchkrieg/1045282534

Click this link to watch the official music video for Witchkrieg (feat. Kerry King of Slayer): https://youtu.be/z88mSch_fwc

Click this link to follow WITCHERY on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialwitchery

Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells