Wednesday 9 March 2016

Witchthroat Serpent - Sang-Dragon (Album Review)


Release date: April 2016. Label: Deadlight Entertainment. Format: CD/DD

Sang-Dragon – Tracklisting

1. Hydra's Bewitchment
2. A Caw Rises From My Guts
3. Siberian Mist
4. Lady Sally
5. Into The Black Wood
6. Behind Green Eyes
7. Mystical Devotee

Band Members:

Fredrik Bolzann - Fuzz Guitar & Vocals
Niko Lass - Haze Drums
Lo Klav - Rat Bass

Review:

Doom Rockers – Witchthroat Support – return with a new album Sang-Dragon and almost new sound especially compared to their superb debut album. I’m a huge fan of their debut album but it stuck to closely to the set sound of Black Sabbath and Electric Wizard at times. Sang-Dragon is not only a leap of quality for the band but a leap musically as well. Sang-Dragon feels though it was created by a different band.

The riffs are more focused, vocals are sharper and the lyrics have a real sense of dread. This is a band that has reinvented their sound for the better. These guys haven’t suffered from the much-dreaded second album syndrome. Even from the opening track – Hydra’s Bewitchment – you know you’re in for a sublime doomy musical adventure where the band creates too many exciting moments to mention. It’s a gloomy and almost occult based instrumental track with subtle hints of ambient based noises.

Second track – A Caw Rises From My Guts – is where the band shows you what’s in store for you for the rest of the album. Doom Metal with a thumping bass line with a demented style of FUZZ that crackles violently in the background. The vocals are superb through out from lead vocalist – Fredrik - as Witchthroat Serpent lay on a heavy psychedelic distorted vibe that can be very nightmarish at times.

Third track – Siberian Mist – opens with a distorted bass heavy solo before the band start adding doomy guitar riffs which sees the band paying homage to bands such as Saint Vitus and Black Sabbath but still creating their own sound. The vocals are mainly in the background as it allows the band to create heavier distorted noises.

The whole tone of the album is one of pure DOOM though shades of Psych Rock and Stoner Metal do appear to show you there is much more to the bands sound. Though this will take a few listens to fully appreciate as Witchthroat Serpent have created quite a complex album at times. Tracks such as – Lady Sally, Into The Black Wood and Mystical Detective – even venture into the world of Prog Rock as some of the guitar solos can only be described as epic.

The production is loud, crisp and vibrant through out. Sang- Dragon is an unstoppable force of nature and I’m implore you to buy this album. It’s a thrilling and spectacular album that you won’t get enough of. Witchthroat Serpent have created an album that could see them playing the more prestigious Doom/Stoner Metal festivals over the next twelve months or so. Sang-Dragon is simply unmissable.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Alex at Deadlight Entertainment for the promo. Sang-D will be available to buy on CD/DD via Deadlight Entertainment from March 18th 2016.

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