Masochistic Devil Worship

This was my first Witchmaster album. It completely explodes out of your speakers, commanding your attention from the start of "Ultimate Satanic Sacrifice."

The almost punkish nature of the vocal rhythms and song structures, mixed with a clearly black/thrash instrumental attack, creates a distinct, instantly recognizable sound that is as bracing as it is viscerally compelling. Whereas most sodomy obsessed satanic lyrics come off as pretty lame (unless you know they really ARE into some messed up shit, like Mikko from DsO/Clandestine Blaze), Bastis and Geryon excel in their earnest, brutal, poignant, statements about their libidos. Bastis sounds like a barbarian, and Geryon sounds like Chronos and Quorthon mixed. The interplay and the way their voices combine on parts is powerful as hell and reminds me of Discharge and Terrorizer in some weird way. (But a good way!)

The music on this album sounds like teutonic black/thrash ala very early Sodom with a decidely more technical bent. Not as much technical, as just VERY well executed. The riffs are of the swarm-of-locusts-devouring-everything-in-their-path "Hell Awaits" (the song) style, only much, much MUCH faster. Not only much faster, but more controlled, and considerably (ahem) better performed than on the aforementioned Slayer song. Certain songs, such as "Transgression," have almost Immortal-inspired "epic" riffs, only the structures are effective in communicating the intended "epicness" because of their bracing, adrenaline rush style.

This album contains a certain punk/crossover flavor, mostly to do with some song structures, but don't let that scare you off. This album is heavy as fuck in every way, and it is actually made HEAVIER by it's small hardcore/d-beat influence. It must be heard by anyone into thrash metal, especially of the 80's German variety. And it's probably a good idea for anyone to check it out that's into death or black metal, as it includes influence from both genres, and totally blows whatever's on your playlist as you're reading this right now away.