Metal Bulletin Zine: the cult of the WITCHMASTER (Osmose Productions)

Witchmaster (Poland): Antichristus Ex Utero (Osmose Productions)

Witchmaster—an association of extortionists and subversives that build the throne of totalitarian absolutist ultra orthodox metal elitism, arrogance and cult in the spirit of the early-barbarian phase of Venom, Hellhammer, Bathory, Sodom, Destruction, Sepultura, Sarcófago, Blasphemy and the like; and the attitude and vibe of bands like Nifelheim, Cultfinder, Throneum, Black Witchery, Gravehill, Deiphago, Dire Omen, Begrime Exemious, Thornspawn, Diocletian, Conqueror, Axis of Advance and Revenge, and similar curmudgeon-intolerant bands—plays “narrow-minded” blasphemous blasting raw “black thrash” that recalls, perhaps most of all, INRI-era Sarcófago in speed and ferocity: raucous yet memorable, and headbanging metal total.

Witchmaster crafts that sick, twisted metal that the old bands from the 80s later abandoned, claiming that they were now too mature and too skilled to play this raw style. Some people will hear Witchmaster and will think that it is the worst album that they have heard all year. To those people, Witchmaster sounds like complete rubbish, like a cave recording by a demo-level band of fanatics; and in turn, the band would definitely appreciate it if those people would stay away, because this is not for that public, anyway, and Witchmaster does not want such people near them. There is no way on Earth that this music can be friendly for the masses, including the metal masses. It’s too chaotic, too brutish and too proudly barbarian.

The sound of Witchmaster is no accident. They have spent years and years playing metal and this is exactly how they want to sound. It’s not because the production is “bad” (it’s actually pretty modern-sounding). It’s not because the recording equipment was damaged in a flood, and it’s not because these criminals do not know how to play their instruments. For one thing, the drummer-felon is Inferno from Behemoth and Azarath, so as far as drummers go, this is top of the line. Or, for instance, listen to the guitar riffs, hooks and solos and you’ll hear the talent. The vocals show a careful attention to capturing the feeling that is perfect for this sound, too.

Very, very highly recommended if you raging live maniacally for “war metal” or for old barbarian death metal or for necro black metal corpse, if you can never get enough of early Sarcófago ageless, if you think Revenge is great, or if your spikes sharpen to Nifelheim. All of that essentially is the tradition of Venom, the fountain source spark, and all of that is the tradition to which Witchmaster belongs. This album lasts a bit over 30 minutes and it will leave you wanting more of the cult of the Witchmaster arise.

www.facebook.com/WitchmasterBand

www.osmoseproductions.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Osmose-Productions/192865300755575

Witchmaster - Antichristus ex utero - album trailer