Witchery - Don't Fear The Reaper

After a long absence it's a welcome return of Witchery and their blackened thrash metal sound.

It's been five years since we've heard from Witchery. This album was actually recorded a couple of years ago, but due to switching record labels took a while to be released. For those not familiar with the band, it is made up of members of several different bands including guitarist Patrik Jensen (The Haunted), bassist Sharlee D'Angelo (Arch Enemy) and drummer Martin "Axe" Axenrot, who just finished a stint with Opeth.

This is a well rounded and diverse album. Thrash riffs are front and center with Jensen and Richard Corpse. They also get the opportunity to display their soloing ability with several really good ones. You'll also hear some symphonic black metal style keyboards on a track or two. The tempos are also varied and include mid-tempo death metal songs along with fast thrash metal songs. Witchery also throws in a couple of instrumentals that are much more than mellow interludes. They are full on songs, just minus the vocals. The album wraps up with an excellent cover of Satanic Slaughters "Legion Of Hades."

Toxine's vocals on this album are outstanding. On the fast songs it's more of a black metal rasp and on the medium tempo songs he does a death metal growl. His vocals are extreme, but also understandable, which is an added bonus.