Desecration of the Holy Kingdom

Black Witchery's fiercest album to this day. Pulverizing low end devastation pummeling your ears throughout this entire album. As far as I'm concerned, Black Witchery in America is what Blasphemy represents in Canada, they are gods of war in their own right. Although they certainly differ from Blasphemy's sound, they possess the spirit and atmosphere that the ross bay cult inspires. In fact, they display the most extreme representation of this style. The sounds of drums battering thunderously as the guitars forcefully pierce right through them, all the while the ferociousness of Impurath's vocals are screaming with malice. Every word is shouted in a battle cry, this is an ideal sonic interpretation of anger incarnate. A prime example of this is found in Crushing the Messiah. Then you have tracks like Command of the Iron Baphomet with it's verses leading up to an insanely infectious and mesmerizing chorus. Desecration of the Holy Kingdom is another standout with it's daunting intro leading into muddy drums, distorted guitars, and shrieks. Most songs follow that similar pattern, switching between drawn out chords into blistering fast riffs, all the meanwhile blastbeats remain restless.

This album is not meant for the feeble. You must desire extremity to listen to twenty seven and thirty three minutes of relentless intensity. Even the intro sounds like a barrage of explosions with demonic growling, giving you little to no time to prepare for the metal wrath that's about to make your ears bleed. And the intensity literally never lets up for the entire album. And at the same time each song manages to be insanely catchy and brutal at the same time.

The lyrics also fit the draw of the music perfectly as each line can easily pass for a song or album title from the most sinister black/death metal bands alone. As I was reading along with the organized hellish noise of this album, I couldn't fathom how someone cannot envision the most grim of scenarios, this band demands that you only have their attitude when listening. I challenge anyone to be cowardice when listening to this album. Once you're engulfed by this album, I almost guarantee that your demeanor will change, your face will express rage, and you'll be put in a mood that is much darker than it previously was. That's the immense power that this album possesses. For those who are seeking something utterly crushing, fast, and seething with spite, behold, your final destination is here. Into damnation eternal.

Standout tracks: Literally any track but my top picks would be Desecration of the Holy Kingdom, Crush the Messiah, and Command of the Iron Baphomet.

You're going to read a lot about this band's rapaciousness, their 'brutality', their allegiance, somehow, to the cult of Blasphemy, following along the lines of that band's two pivotal releases, but it would be intelligent to take all of that with a grain of salt if you haven't heard this band before for yourself. To be honest, I don't know why people reference Blasphemy when discussing Black Witchery, because these two bands really have very little in common, and even less in common with Conqueror - another band that's thrown into the ring when these two bands meet. Really, the only thing these bands have in common is a certain form of vocal wipeout that is created when a vocalist distorts his voice (whether run through a distortion pedal or just an equalizer that increases the intake volume to the point where the signal distorts running into the recorder), and Black Witchery scatters this element over the top of certain songs to tie themselves to Blasphemy (or that band's sound, which they obviously revere as being cult and a good-in-itself) - it's neither the most common form of their vocals or the one they turn to when communication is really called for...like any other kind of effect it is used sparingly, and only for variation, to mix things up a little.

When it comes to the root of Black Witchery's sound, they have very little in common with Blasphemy, as that band was always chaotic and unfocused to the point of deconstruction, where their rhythms, melodies, and song writing intent was constantly on the verge of collapse - creating, in the listener's mind of course, a feeling of energetic inspiration, the sort of wild off-the-cuff spontaneity that is often mistaken for some kind of 'freedom' in composition. Black Witchery, on the other hand, are pure structuralists, creating music that always follows certain forms to the bitter end, building riffs on top of each other like reinforced masonry, placing brick after brick of black metal elements on top of each other, one by one, until a very simplistic (and also musically 'pure' - meaning free from extraneous elements, and that's all) and rigid interlocking foundation of melodies and rhythms is created. The most important part of their composition process has to be the choice of what riffs to use in the first few moments of the song, because their song writing only allows for one of three different structures (at least, I counted three, but they are all related, actually), and once the introduction and first main riff is decided, the variations, tempo changes (if any) and the rest of the song is already set in stone. These songs are exquisitely simple to play, and so you know that Black Witchery are not concerned with opening up the communication of atmospheres to the listener so much as creating, through repetition and the energy in the performance of the material, an idea of commitment, resolve, belief, and the maintenance (through a fighting spirit) of black metal's founding aesthetics, right there on the front line, attacking again and again like a spearhead offensive against anyone who would dilute black metal's hatred in the name of false 'progression'.

So, as I said above, the main idea when considering Black Witchery is somehow accepting a communication of 'purity', both in their sound design (reducing everything in black metal to its simplest elements, and then spinning endless variations off those primary themes), in their ideology (anti-Christianity, and that seems to be all), in their 'image' (thankfully they don't waste time on that either), and in the emotions presented to the listener over the course of this album. Hatred, anger, and more hatred, and that's all. Precious few microseconds of melancholy, and even fewer tastes of negative 'spirituality' outside of the soul-eroding effects of the fight against Christ - which is a battle against the world, let's be honest. Interesting, isn't it? Black Witchery, when presented with the 'decadence' of black metal, as evidenced by the European tradition of 'diluting' the first sounds of the second wave with overtly 'emotional' elements, respond (as so many other bands have done before them) by stripping the machinery down once again to its bare bones, and then using that skeleton key of traditionalism to open up realms of communication which have been left untapped on these shores for far too long. Even a band like Thornspawn, traditionalists to the core and always backwards-looking, can not even compare to the concentration on fundamentals displayed here.

If I am making this band seem overly simplistic (and thus a little boring) I should add that this almost never comes up when you are in this album's dark embrace. Black Witchery's conviction, strength of purpose, and unassailable emotional drive are utterly convincing once this disc begins to spin. From your speakers erupts a low-frequency wall of distorted spite and sonic violence that immediately circles around your European metal-addled aesthetic 'convictions' and suffocates them without mercy. Wave after wave of rigid, lashing, blood-warm aural torture wraps you in its steel arms and squeezes the life from you...slowly or at lightning speed, depending on one's resistance to musical suggestion. The drumming, as insistent and corrosive as a legion of high-end artillery leveled at an Afghani village, just pounds and pounds away at you until you are too weak to offer any kind of resistance. Can you stand up and raise your hand against this constant battery? Not a chance. And again the guitars descend, falling like an ash-filled black rain, their buzzsaw acidity drawing power from a pyre of Christianity's remains just out of sight, layers upon layers of bone debris, burnt churches, the essence of hundreds of fucking corrupt Christian pigs put to the sword, their screams absorbed, gloated over, considered with pride, and then abstracted and bled out through flying fingers on guitars that are little more than weapons of war. The down-tuned, low frequency melodies distill a lethal poison from their alien writhing, and this black blood seeps from your ears onto your tongue, down your throat, into your heart, and over the image of the Nazarene that has been pressed there against your will, and here, in the dark of night, in the silence of soul, it strangles the Redeemer and throws his twisted form to the dogs. From the depths arises the venom of Black Witchery's vocalist, who barks and spits forth blasphemy and dark commands like a rabid animal foaming at the mouth, or a possessed soldier/priest in the grip of his worst nightmare, trying to scream himself awake. Again and again he raises his whip and urges his followers forward. Attack, attack! Hatred this strong is truly a thing of beauty...

I believe that this album is a landmark in American black metal, as it both pushes aside all the arguments over aesthetics that have been transpiring in this country for the last few years and sets down, for future reference (or for bands who wish to follow it) an undeniable link between this country's former Primacy in outright musical hatred and the future of our black metal scene, which as always been divided into a hundred warring camps of pretension and indeterminacy. 'Follow this road' Black Witchery seems to be saying, and I, for one, would love to see this form of music take over from all of the European-influenced rubbish that passes for 'true' black metal in the States. Brutal, uncompromising, pure metal torture, coming to us now when we need it the most, and falling on these ears to be met with legitimate excitement, and a bliss that only arises in me when I listen to bands that are so sure of their convictions that any kind of 'criticism' outside of a head nod and thumbs-up seems to be excessive...just go buy this thing already.

UA

Erebus Magazine
http://erebuszine.blogspot.com

Black Witchery is a band that would become the embodiment of barbaric. Promoting an evil agenda that would remorselessly sleep with your girlfriend or possibly kill your dog out of sheer whim. Bombarding your speakers with a specific type of music that isn't likened to anything conventional or conservative. Desecration of the Holy Kingdom is a release that is completely one-sided, even going as far as to avoid a relating middle-ground. The scale is weighted with bleak regard, and a nasty snub from social norms.

The music adds a single abrupt solo on the track 'Command of the Iron Baphomet,' a short mid-section on 'Into Damnation Eternal,' and short sound-effects on the beginning of 'Chaostorms of Demonic Hate' and 'Blasphemous Onslaught.' Those are probably the only variations on the album that inherently stick-out. If that would completely bother you, then you probably won't enjoy this band and you should consider moving on. This is music that isn't meant for choruses, track-changing or probably not even just a quick listen. It has ear-transfixing qualities that project an almost monotonous feel with minor shifts. A near one-sided projection of certain profane properties, so to speak.

To achieve this 'trancing' quality, there are barbaric guitar riffs, continuous blasting drums with cymbals and hi-hat countoffs for head-nodding, and also vocals that lead the tracks with a violent on-going effect. The riffs literally sound like they 'hum.' It uses a focused song-writing technique of a few inharmonious tremolo riffs played back and forth, with quite a bit of single and also fastly strummed chords that might use more of an abstract style. There are only a few variations, even among the limited riffs per song. You won't hear clear-cut music or even absolute distinctiveness here on Desecration. The main aspect heard on the drums are the snare and cymbals. He'll pick certain riff changes or pick-up points to add cymbal hits. The guitars carry the background, however the vocals are the main carrier. He uses more of a half-yell, half-scream, with a throat-straining technique. Perpetuating this supporting on-going atmosphere, which sounds more like a raging, disorienting horde, rather than a few guys manipulating instruments.

Black Witchery appear to be influenced by Blasphemy's Fallen Angel of Doom and demo, 90's Archgoat, quite possibly Von and other blasphemous budding bullies. They spout primitive sounds that embrace evil, chaos and a disassociation to conventional music. A near one-sidedness that doesn't let up or give a balance of any sorts. There isn't an ounce of light escaping this album, even a glimmer would be swallowed with massive jaws and a cavernous, decaying mouth with teeth meant to maim, eventually leading to who knows where.

While there are some bands that would play in a similar brash style that can be either murdering or murdered. Stepping on the line with a potential for becoming that exact definition of barbaric in the sense, not the musical descriptor. However, I think Black Witchery sets up smoking atmospherics and mirrors that reflect near hideous medusan ferocity combined with music that isn't a mere effect. Though, honestly this output can take energy and mood to listen to. It heightens certain scheming activities and can definitely become an enhancer. I think its minimalism is so against the grain, and nearly black considering a black-and-white mentality, that it is like that certain spice that gets pulled out on infrequent occasions. Used too much it can lose its juju, used too little and you might start wearing white tees and slacks and donating to charity. Yet excite your guests, pull out that raw, unblessed meaty food prepared by Black Witchery, and hope each one of them happens to be vegan or kosher. And bolt the exits because no one's leaving.

This is something you download or rip from a friend, not something you go out and buy. Unlike your average BR00TAL black metal band, Black Witchery do us the favor of producing their music well enough that it's audible, unlike their buddies Conqueror, while retaining the typical "raw" sound to it. The riffs have the average black metal spirit to them, basically everything a half step flat of what it would normally be. However, the good part about it is that they often incorporate some good old-fashioned thrash style into it, somewhat a la Deathcrush-era Mayhem. You'll find yourself headbanging or playing air drums through a good portion of this one, and they keep up a consistent, speedy pace with typical repetitive blasting through most of it. It's no Darkness Descends but if you enjoy thrash you'll get a kick out of the riffs. Vocals are nothing special, nothing awful. Just average. The lyrics are incredibly stupid but fashioned so that they look smart. Oooohhh. I'm a badass! I want to kill every human being on the planet (start with yourselves...let me know how the rest works out)! I worship Satan (which is even more stupid than being religious)! They just talk about that stuff with a Morbid Angel-ripoff style of writing with big words and some very rudimentary imagery. Wow. What innovators.

Basically enough thrash and aggression in it to keep me amused for a while, but unless you're into collecting rare stuff or find it at a very cheap price, don't bother spending money on this one.

Band: Black Witchery
Album: Desecration of the Holy Kingdom
Label: Full Moon Productions
Release Year: 2001

Black Witchery is an American band, playing Black Metal reminiscent of a cross between Blasphemy and Bestial Warlust. This is their first full-length CD, although they have previously released a split CD ("Hellstorms of Evil Vengeance") with Canadians Conqueror.

For me, the aforementioned split CD established Black Witchery as one of the best American Black Metal bands. This CD more than lives up to the promise of that excellent release, delivering an immersive work of pure aggression.

The guitars create a wall of relentless black noise, against which the drums and vocals flail. The vocals seemed too ordinary at first listen, but grew on me the more I played this album. They're perfect for the delivery of such straightforward anti-Christian lyrics. Perhaps it's because both vocals and lyrics fit the music so perfectly - primitive and hateful. The songs are all well written and memorable.

The packaging is quite supreme as well - simple, evocative cover art, all lyrics printed inside, and some of the most perfectly blasphemous interior art I've ever seen (they ought to do a shirt with the center drawing, if they haven't yet).

This is one of the best new albums I've heard in 2001 so far - highest recommendations. For fans of Blasphemy, Beherit, Bestial Warlust, and the split CD with Conqueror.

Standout tracks: "Command of the Iron Baphomet", "Unholy Vengenace of War", "The Angelholocaust"

Review by Vorfeed: http://www.vorfeed.net