__________.____ ______________________________ .__ _______ ________ \______ \ | \_ _____/\_ _____/\______ \ |__|\ \ / _____/ | | _/ | | __)_ | __)_ | | \| |/ | \/ \ ___ | | \ |___ | \ | \ | ` \ / | \ \_\ \ |______ /_______ \/_______ //_______ //_______ /__\____|__ /\______ / \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ artist: Bewitcher title: Spell Shock year: 2024 genre: Metal type: Album label: Century Media language: English rel. date: 2024-09-25 source: WEB/MP3 quality: CBR 320kbps / 44.1 kHz / Full Stereo runtime: 00:44:22 size: 106.79MB rip date: 2024-09-26 source url: http://deezer.com/album/604469762 tracklist: 1. Starfire Maelstrom 4:28 2. Lavish Desecration 3:17 3. Spell Shock 4:56 4. Out Against the Law 3:06 5. Dystopic Demonolatry 3:49 6. Seasons of Foul Harvest 4:26 7. We Die in Dust 4:25 8. The Harem Conspiracy 4:18 9. Pagan Shadows 1:49 10. Ride of the Ironfox 5:42 11. Starfire Maelstrom (Single Edit) 4:06 release notes: The old school speed metal revival is showing no signs of slowing down despite an onslaught of bands and releases. So far in 2024 we have had killer albums from Midnight, Vulture, Hellbutcher, Bat and Wraith amongst others but now it is the turn of Portland trio Bewitcher to recapture that 80Æs satanic metal attack with their fourth full length album ôSpell Shockö. As with the case with the vast majority of these younger bands paying a retro style of metal, there is nothing on ôSpell Shockö that you havenÆt heard before either back in the day or by the multitude of bands capturing that old school essence but Bewitcher just happen to do this very very well. Much like previous album ôCursed Be Thy Kingdomö this album leans into traditional heavy metal territory at times such as on æSeasons Of Foul HarvestÆ and æWe DIe in DustÆ however the band drop in moments of speed metal sorcery such as album opener æStarfire MaelstromÆ and æThe Harem ConspiracyÆ whilst songs like æOut Against The LawÆ and the title track mix the speed and old school heavy metal worship with added punk rock attitude and rock ænÆ roll debauchery. The only deviation on the album is the short instrumental æPagan ShadowsÆ with its Americana feel which leads into the fist pumping metal finale of æRide Of The Iron FoxÆ. The album is produced by Lars Frederiksen of Rancid and mixed by Chris Dugan who is known for his work with Green Day but donÆt let that put you off as the album has a proper 80Æs metal sound but done with 21st century tools and sounds utterly fantastic. The album was written after playing 130 shows in a row and that energy can be heard in both the material and the performances. The band also made a conscious effort to mix together all the elements from their previous three records meaning you get a well rounded mix of what makes Bewitcher tick. ItÆs another killer record from the band full of heavy metal ferocity, middle finger raising attitude and Satanic blasphemy.