FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL…
On November 20, 2007, Electric Wizard released their sixth full-length studio album Witchcult Today via Rise Above Records (Later released in the United States via Candlelight Records).
Background:
The band's fascination with horror movies and writers continues here with Satanic Rites of Drugula, a reference to the Hammer Studios horror film The Satanic Rites of Dracula, and Dunwich, a reference to H. P. Lovecraft's short story The Dunwich Horror; also Black Magic Rituals & Perversions (I. Frisson Des Vampires II. Zora) makes reference to Jean Rollin film Le Frisson des Vampires (Shiver of the Vampires) and to Italian comic book character Zora the Vampire. Furthermore, the album cover of Witchcult Today is edited from the poster for The Devil Rides Out and is reminiscent of a scene from the 1975 occult thriller Race with the Devil.
On 23 May 2012, Metal Blade Records issued a limited edition vinyl which contained Witchcult Today and Black Masses, in order to coincide with the 10th Maryland Deathfest.
Critical Reception:
Reviews for Witchcult Today were mostly positive, with Thom Jurek of AllMusic writing "Musically, Electric Wizard inhabit the same basic world of Stoner/Doom/Sludge they always have."
On the 2012 Metal Blade vinyl reissue, Laina Dawes from Exclaim! wrote;
“To coincide with their upcoming headlining set at Maryland Deathfest X (and their first North American show in years), Metal Blade is releasing both 2007's Witchcult Today and 2010's Black Masses on limited edition vinyl. It also gives Doom fans previously unacquainted with the legendary English band a chance to pick up what is arguably a seminal album. In comparison to their earlier work, Witchcult Today, which was recorded on '70s vintage recording equipment, showcases vocalist Jus Osborn's vocals more prominently and clearly, and tracks, like fan favourite Torquemada '71 and Satanic Rites of Drugula, are less psychedelic and meandering, and more straight-to-the-point, almost catchy. When remastering Doom, one worries that the grainy, fuzzed-out bass and general Sludge that are an integral part of the sound will be replaced with shiny, smooth production, but the band's UK label, Rise Above, and the owner (Cathedral's Lee Dorrian) knew not to mess with a sonically pristine album.”
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference.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
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