Friday 29 March 2019

Witchfinder - Hazy Rites (Album Review)


Release date: April 1st 2019. Label: Black Bow Records. Format: CD/DD

Hazy Rites – Tracklisting

1. Ouija
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.

Links:

Facebook | BandCamp