Release Date: April 10th 2026. Record Label: Magnetic Eye Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
Through The Hourglass - Tracklisting
1.Odyssey in Retrograde
2.The Portal
3.Symmetry of the Hourglass
4.Echoes and Dust
5.The Clock Queen
6.Proxima Centauri
7.The Spiral Eye
Members
Chad Fox – guitar, vocals
Brian Kim – bass, vocals
Curtis Parker – guitar, vocals
Joe Eck – drums
Review
Through The Hourglass is the third full length album from Sludge/Stoner Metallers Witch Ripper which fully builds upon the progressive themes they laid down on their acclaimed 2023 album The Flight After The Fall. As they blend highly melodic grooves with a real underground intensity which branches out into different areas of music you least expect. Witch Ripper are inspired once again by the likes of Baroness, Mastodon and High On Fire on this record with other bands such as Queen and Thin Lizzy making a highly unexpected appearance.
The album is quite classic rock sounding with a haunting Seventies Hard Rock approach whilst keeping that aggressive modern day energy appearing within tracks such as Odyssey In Retrograde, The Portal and Symmetry Of The Hourglass. The vocals are quite eerie like Brann Dallor in places which I’m always down for as he’s perhaps one of my favourite all time vocalists.
Though, the vocals change direction quite frequently which allows Chad, Brian and Curtis to share equal duties when the need calls for them throughout the album. The music itself is a mixture of Psych, Sludge, Stoner and Progressive sounds that demonstrate how Witch Ripper have become better musicians, songwriters and storytellers since their last album.
If you dig the last few Mastodon records where the emotionally engaging lyrics take you into a dark area before transforming into an uplifting movement then this record does this time and time again within the epic first half of the record. Ambient textures form amongst the Psychedelic wastelands with Witch Ripper lying down impressive technically charged melodies that have a “THRASH” underscore to them. Though, when Witch Ripper delves into areas of Classic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal is where the real magic happens.
The music can be quite frantic and jagged in places but there’s a sense of real adventure being played on tracks such as Symmetry Of The Hourglass, Echoes And Dust, The Clock Queen and The Spiral Eye. Witch Ripper transforms themselves into a real Post-Metal collective force to be reckoned with. Harsh and clean vocals combine for a soulful journey into the unknown with the music providing outstanding instrumental solos from everyone. Sometimes the whole band are trying to out do each other and claim full creative control for themselves especially on the faster and aggressive parts of the record.
The real highlight and perhaps MVP of the whole performance is Joe Eck on drums. Joe puts in an intense and highly methodical performance that perhaps is where everything comes from. They are quite understated but delivered with a sense of real purpose and supreme intelligence. Credit still goes to Chad (Guitars), Brian (Bass) and Curtis (Guitars) who all bring their “A” Game to the album with excellent musical performances throughout this album.
Dare I call this album perhaps the “BEST ALBUM THAT MASTODON HAS NEVER MADE” with Witch Ripper playing a deeper style of Prog Metal with a sudden shift into psychedelic surroundings just for good measure. I mean that as a huge compliment as this record is still quite original within its own right.
There’s a more grounded aspect which allows Witch Ripper to breathe new life into the underground Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. The production values are off the scale which isn’t surprising when you have heavy hitters such as Matt Bayles (Recording and Mixing) and Brad Boatright (Mastering) helping Witch Ripper to achieve true greatness with this record.
My favourite track has to be the final song The Spiral Eye which features stunning guest vocals/chants by Irene Barber from Alternative/Shoegaze collective Dust Moth. The song is quite different and very familiar from Witch Ripper as they blend Shoegaze dynamics with their usual blend of Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal.
There’s a hidden Ambient/Drone score within the song which allows the vocals to take a commanding performance even when they transform to a meditative and laid back style. The music has a haunting Post-Rock aspect which doesn’t affect the heaviness of the album in any way possible. This is a great way to close the album as it will leave the listener wholly satisfied with what they’ve fully experienced from start to finish.
Through The Hourglass is Witch Ripper’s best album to date which should propel them on to bigger and better things within the whole Sludge/Stoner Metal scene.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to All Noir PR and Magnetic Eye Records for the promo.
Through The Hourglass is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Magnetic Eye Records.
Links
