Initial Impressions: Witchery: Witchkrieg

Witchery is finally back after a four year hiatus following a mostly disappointing album. The band can be considered a super group, formed by members of The Haunted and Arch Enemy and basically being formed from the ashes of Satanic Slaughter. This time around the vocalist is the great Legion from Marduk and Devian, and one of my favorite evil-sounding black metal vocalists. Hearing him do Swedish thrash is a little different but he of course sounds great.

Swedish thrash has never really taken off as its own scene to the extent that German and Bay Area thrash has done. There are several good groups in the scene including Witchery, The Haunted, Carnal Forge, The Crown, and others, but it has not risen to the same level of notoriety. Nor does it really deserve to do so. Don't get me wrong, there are some good albums, but it doesn't have the same dynamics as other scenes.

As I said, Witchery's previous album was a bit lackluster, but this album sounds great. The thrash is brutal and fast, the vocals are dark and evil, the riffs are mostly impressive, and the solos are great. The band has rediscovered its menacing edge and this whole album sounds like a malevolent force of evil. The additional guitar solos by guest members of bands like Mercyful Fate, Exodus, Slayer, and others are definitely interesting. It does make one wonder what's wrong with Witchery's guitarist, but I would imagine it has more to do with the potential marketability than anything else.

The only real issue that I have with this album is that it does tend to drag a little bit as it continues. Other than that, many of the songs are fairly impressive and this is a very good return-to-form album for the Swedish thrash group.

Reader Requested Post: NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!!!

This is a request from Mrs. Metallattorney, who is obviously my fiancee and likes to create havoc sometimes on this blog. Love you honey:)

Well, I'm sure it was a joke, but here's Witchery's "Inquisition" anyway. Hah.

Burning red of charcoal the roasting place of rest
Flames are slowly stirring in this hideous nest
Red hot sparkling pokers lay waiting in the heat
Blackened grid of iron stained with darkened meat

[Pre-Chorus:]
There's a place here for you
We'd like to question you too
Welcome in feel at home settle down you'll have to...

[Chorus:]
Speak your mind tell the truth don't you lie
The church has the power and a heretic we shall find
No matter what you think who you are and what you do
For we will get the answers that we want out of you!

Hooded are the masters of this holy trial
Pleaded to by many but mercy recievers denial
Silent, skillful and handy their tread they do respect
Amongst the questioned thousands the guilty they'll detect.

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of knowledge about the Spanish Inquisition, and I'm not completely sure of the historical accuracy of Monty Python, or Witchery for that matter. Still, what an interesting topic. I like it when Catholics claim that Islam is a violent religion, turning their backs and pretending the Spanish Inquisition never happened. The major purpose of this was to maintain orthodoxy over several conquered areas and ensure that the people of other religions that were forced to accept Catholicism under pain of death were continuing to follow. It was created to suppress heresy, but also had a hand in other offenses such as bigamy, witchcraft, blasphemy, and sodomy.

The Inquisitor General was designated by the Spanish monarchy and was tasked with organizing the Inquisition. When the Inquisition arrived in a city, they would read an edict following a Sunday mass setting forth the categories of offenses and ask for people to tell them any suspects. There wasn't much in the way of due process as the defendants would not be able to confront their accusers and the Inquisition did not do much to ensure the allegations were factual. The accused would be detained while awaiting trial, which could last two years or so. Their property was seized and sold to pay for the procedures. The defendant was put on trial and interrogated, which often entailed torture, such as the rack and strappado (hanging them by the wrists which were held behind their back and hanging weights from their ankles). Very seldomly were people acquitted.

We also have a song by Slaughter called "Strappado":

Prepare yourself for torture
Prepare yourself to scream
This is no bloody story, ain't no fucking dream
Arms are tied behind your back
Hands tight in a rope
Suddenly your hoisted up,
Shoulder blades get broke

Strappado

Put on a pair of Spanish boots
Time to soak your feet
Plunge them into boiling oil
Fried alive in your seat
Dangle up on sky hooks
Strappado drives you mad
Arms rip off, you slam to the ground
Pain’s the latest fad

Strappado

Strappado

Clearly, a violent time period.