Release
date: April
1st
2019. Label: Black
Bow
Records.
Format: CD/DD
Hazy
Rites
–
Tracklisting
2. Satan's Haze
3. Covendoom
4. Sexual Intercourse
5. Wild Trippin
6. Sorry
7. Dans L'Instant
Members
Tom
- drums
Clement
- bass/vocals
Stan
- guitar
Review
French
Doom/Stoner Metallers Witchfinder impressed me with their 2017 S/T
Debut Album with it’s epic use of Psychedelic Doom, Sludge and
Stoner Metal. The album had a great sounding retro feel to the album
as well. Now, fast forward to 2019 and the band will be releasing
their 2nd album – Hazy Rites.
This
album is a different sounding beast compared to their debut album. As
the album is heavier and way more progressive. Witchfinder even
managed to include a harsher style of Rock/Metal in certain parts of
the album and may leave some listeners fully out of their comfort
zone. The band take influence from MONOLORD, CONAN, Weedeater and
SLEEP on this album. However this is still Witchfinder’s show. They
create an influx of different sounds that have a nightmarish creepy
edge to them.
The
opening 3 songs – Ouija, Satan’s Haze and Covendoom offer 25
minutes of the heaviest and most thrilling Doomed Out Riffs held on
the album. The music has a nightmarish and Droned Out quality to it.
The Doom/Drone/Chant based Vocals from Clement has a hollow edge to
them and they only add to the eerie and Progressive atmosphere the
band expertly create on this album.
The
later stages of the album is where Witchfinder impress the most
perhaps creatively speaking. As the band decide to experiment with
their sound and opt for a more disturbing Hardcore based vision.
Songs such as Wild Trippin, Sorry and Dans L'instant will leave you
looking over your shoulder with it’s heavily stylish use of Psych,
Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal that allow Witchfinder to create a
truly exciting sound of their own.
Overall,
Hazy Rites is everything you could want from a Doom/Stoner Metal
album. As it offers a thrilling and challenging audio sonic
experience you’ll be listening to over and over again.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Curtis at Dewar PR for the promo. Hazy Rites will be available to
buy on CD/DD via Black Bow Records from April 1st 2019.
