Witchmaster – Violence & Blasphemy

I’ve heard from several people that they’d never heard of Polish Pagan Records. I find this quite strange, as this is a good, long-running and well-known label, which also was the starting point for certain bigger bands now, such as Behemoth for instance. They’ve also got a nose for signing good bands, as is being emphasised again with Witchmaster.

Formed in ’96 by members from Profanum, Witchmaster released two demo’s, were featured with one track on a Pagan Recs. sampler, entitled ‘Sounds Of The Apocalypse vol. 1’ and drew attention from several labels. Signed to Pagan, they released their first full-length. ‘Violence & Blasphemy’ is it’s title, and on it you’ll hear some delicious Death/Black drenched eighties Thrash and influences from today’s Black and Death completed with devilish vocals or, as they themselves call it: Satanic Metal Slaughter!

Mid-paced Thrash/Black with a constantly present evil and threatening sphere which, when going over to hyperblast, includes more towards Death/Black and both alter each other very good. Witchmaster may not be a very renewing band, but they also don’t just rip off other people’s material.

You can hear their effort back in the music, although some parts still remain quite familiar. The result: energetic, aggressive and headbangin’ metal! Good well-written songs, with almost a constant factor of ‘bewareness’ for the listener.

15 Tracks, of which one intro and several intermezzi with a good and raw production. I think this album will appeal to a lot of people, as the melting together of both 80’s and 90’s Metal has been done so good. Check it out!