Black Witchery - Inferno of Sacred Destruction

Black Witchery makes no apologies for its latest blasphemous release titled Inferno of Sacred Destruction. There is no obligatory intro music, no soft lead-in with atmospheric ambience; what you get is an absolute still-shattering assault that doesn’t find the need to soothe the savage breast.

The band’s third full-length effort is one of sonic insanity, a lightning-fast trip into the degradation and wonderment of evil and malevolent design. “Holocaustic Church Devastation” may sound contrived and formulaic considering that every good Christian boy and girl now likes black metal, yet the relentless beating that is afforded through sonic endeavor from Black Witchery makes them a cut above the norm. This is one of the better HHB releases I’ve heard in a while, and I’m very old school black metal…yep, first wave here! That stated for the record, there’s something to be said for well-crafted, drop-tuned brutality in Satan’s name and Inferno certainly captures the moment with fluidity and topical resonance. The low-fi delivery is what adds to the charm of this release because it’s not necessarily muddy, yet it adopts a sinister vibe of tempestuousness that is usually surrounded by inaudible mud comically called production. It helps tremendously that Black Witchery make it a point to hate and despise any and all latecomers, especially evident in tracks like “Apocalyptic Carnage”, which travels a million miles an hour and retains a superb clarity. These guys are one of the best collectives this otherwise insipid U.S. black metal ‘movement’ has to offer.

I must admit some of the songs seem to run a bit together in the riff department, thus making it a bit difficult to really pinpoint a particular memorable riff or exclamation point within the music, but that nuance aside there is some severely evil music to be had here with eight tracks. There is no attempt at innovative glorification with Black Witchery - you take it at their best and worst, warts and all, and enjoy the black music it offers in large doses. While I thought Upheaval of Satanic Might was pretty decent, I certainly think Inferno picks up the mantle and holds it a tad higher in ’10. “Sepulchral Witchcraft” is certainly one of my favorite tracks with a positively ugly maelstrom of noise that Venom might well have implemented on Possessed or Calm Before the Storm had they not dropped the ball…twice! Ah, what might have been….

For your buck, you might dig Black Witchery’s take on the States’ black metal scene simply due to its criminally accurate feel for the tone of this umpteenth wave of the genre. This movement may be opaque and disgustingly contrived these days, but through the sea of mediocrity a small gem in need of polish shines through and this is one of them. 

Release Date: September, 2010
Label: Hells Headbangers

TRACK LISTING

1.  Holocaustic Church Devastation
2.  Antichrist Order of Holy Death
3.  Apocalyptic Carnage
4.  Barbarism Domination
5.  Inferno of Sacred Destruction
6.  Kingdom Against Kingdom
     (Conqueror cover)
7.  Sepulchral Witchcraft
8.  Ascension of the Obscure Moon

Total playing time: 22:12

*By clicking "Submit" you agree to the following Terms of Use. You agree not to post any material that is obscene, slanderous, or threatening, or that may violate any law of your country of origin or the United States or of international law. Should you wish to restrict viewing of your email address by third parties, you must select "Hide My Email." You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Metal Psalter from any claims, actions, suits, damages, or other costs arising out of any breach of these Terms of Use.

*Comments:

Reviewer: Chris

February 14, 2011