The third and final album from Canadian speed metal cult Witches Hammer is coming! With some of the material dating back 40 years, this is going to be a cult cut from one of the obscure metal universe’s strongest bands. Released by Nuclear War Now Productions.
Heavy bass lines ride in on howling winds as harmonics ring into the distance. Ferocious thrashing riffs and pummelling drums forcefully dominate with that speed metal intensity that Witches Hammer are well regarded for. The bestial vocals suit the extremity of the instruments and overall the rabid carnage is much in the same vein as before; which is a huge complement as I am a massive fan of their other works. Mixing old demo songs, new songs and unreleased songs; this is a veritable feast of the band and encompasses their long and elite history with material spanning their entire career. This mix may sound as thought it may be jarring but for such a consistent band, it all flows smoothly and everything is delivered with utmost fury. From the tightness of the percussion to the lethal guitar work and evil snarling vocals; Witches Hammer are back and this record feels as though it will be an explosive goodbye from the onset…
The production on this album is beefy. The guitars feel massive and the low end punches the gut appropriately while the drums fill things out nicely. Vocals and leads are piercing and cut through gloriously. Everything feels triumphant and like the band spared no expense in ensuring the final chapter of their legacy is up to standard. I adore the speed metal mania of the riffs with a melodic and yet violent assault that we all know Canada shaped with their 80s titans. If the riffing wasn’t powerful enough, those battering drums and scathing solos will surely have you convinced. Equally the bass is profoundly brutal and does not meekly hide behind the guitars, preferring to bulldoze with total might. This might be the most ferocious release from the band yet! Harnessing the true heavy metal power of the early 80s and injecting it with a potent dose of thrash and speed aggression; this record feels timeless and classic while the energy is as fresh as ever. Of course they are no one trick ponies, there are more blackened moments of pure macabre evil. Furthermore we get some doomy and eerie touches to add to the sense of potent dread. But most of all we get total carnage and blistering speed.
Whiplash rhythmic assaults and venomous shredding destruction will have you possessed by the metal madness right ’til the end of this hell-ride. Blasting bombshells and stringed shrapnel will rain fire and blood upon you as the Canadian horde delivers some of their most ripping tracks to date. The muscular songwriting and blasphemous desecration of its delivery is as flawless as ever and a real pleasure to hear so far into their lifespan as a band. A band that has never compromised, cut corners or given us maniacs anything short of killer music. That special spirit that records like “Endless Pain”, “Show No Mercy”, “Obsessed by Cruelty”, “None Shall Defy” and others contain is certainly present on this demonic recording. Not many bands can still authentically do this sound justice (Vomitor springs to mind though); but Witches Hammer certainly do.
This is the proper stuff, hail the Canadian speed metal cult! No nonsense, pulverising metallic fury for the strong and elite. It’s true that the best bands prosper in the underground and Witches Hammer have been one of those obscure gems for decades. “Final Storm” is a dangerous and wild execution of total savagery mayhem. Even the artwork was done back in the 80s (originally intended for their debut LP), so that ancient aura lingers on this record without feeling like some try-hard throwback. Can you weather the final storm? Or will you be electrocuted by metallic lightning and morbid thunder? Find out now – get your copy from Nuclear War Now Productions!
Check out my interview with Witches Hammer here!
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