Label: Filosofem Records
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Length: 40:17
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WitcheR is an atmospheric black metal band that I discovered earlier this year. Hailing from Hungary, the project was formed in 2010 and has since released three EPs and four albums, the most recent of which is Öröklét. As I mentioned in a previous article, my first encounter with their music was through the album Lélekharang.
Must-Listen - "Lélekharang" by Witcher
Öröklét is a five-track album with a total running time of 40 minutes and 17 seconds, released via the Filosofem Records label. The long, massive tracks combine raw black metal, poignant melodies and heavy, melancholic atmospheres. The imposing guitars, supported by drums that follow their cadence, form the backbone of the soundscape, while the keyboard, very present, adds an emotional and hazy dimension. The vocals, an essential element of the band's identity, display an abrasive and instinctive energy. Entirely in Hungarian, the lyrics evoke a dark fantasy universe, poetic and obscure. The whole offers a unique texture, somewhere between black metal and classical music.
One of the highlights of the album is the band's ability to maintain captivating atmospheres from start to finish. On the track Örökség, I particularly enjoyed the melancholic passages that precede the vocals at 2:23; the track then settles into a repetitive cadence that creates a hypnotic atmosphere. Szélhozó, my favourite track, follows the same logic of melodic and atmospheric progression: just close your eyes and let yourself be carried away. At 2:25, the instrumental acceleration is splendid, followed by a brilliant melodic line; then, at 4:07, a striking change of rhythm combined with emotionally charged vocals creates a striking intensity (at least that's how I felt).
Röghöz kötött is another standout track that will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the genre. Like the previous two, it focuses on melodic and atmospheric development before the vocals bring a more beastly dimension at 2:15. Then, at 4:57, the guitars and drums fade away to let the keyboard create a few immersive moments. From 7:41 onwards, the vocals reach their peak: one of the best vocal performances on the album. The title track, Öröklét, continues in the same vein, incorporating ritualistic female choirs from 4:05 onwards. The album closes with a cover of Piano Trio No. 2 – Andante con moto by Franz Schubert, an iconic composer of German Romanticism, an elegant and daring conclusion.
With Öröklét, WitcheR further asserts its musical identity and delivers a major album, in my opinion one of the most memorable of the year. I highly recommend it to all fans of atmospheric black metal who want to discover a rich, immersive and highly emotional work.