Witcher - Witchdance

I know, the new year's still kicking in and there probably is enough fresh material out there that has yet to get looked out for 2015, however I do not give one fuck about any of that right now. As a matter of fact, I do not even give two fucks regarding anything else that has released so far. Right now my heart and soul is stuck in 2013 with Witcher's Witchdance, a fantastically well done atmospheric and black metal album that has my jaw dropping with delight and my ears just constantly begging for more.

Now, you're going to have to excuse me if I come off short or blunt with the biography of this band; every piece of information I've found by them is in Hungarian, as that is where this band is from, and I'm doing my best to use the misguided translations from Google Translate to help me better understand the origins of this band. So, here we go.

It was back in 2009 when Witcher first found its footsteps, with the two core members Karola and Roland both finding their old projects disbanded. By the summer of 2010, both members immediately began writing material for what would become two of their 2010 demos titled Uttalan utakon (roughly translated to Untrodden Roads). This release would eventually reach the hands of some fans, and be re-released and published in issue #2 of Fekete Terror (translated to Black Terror), a fanzine that learned to appreciate these two.

In 2011, we were given the first taste of Boszorkanytanc (translated to Witchdance) under Old Skull Productions, where it was given a limited run of 66 cassette copies. Later, their music appeared appeared on a compilation album published by HungAryan Records, and they put Katona vagyok en as the thirteenth track. It was also in this year that Dutch Achtung! Records released the cassette version of Uttalan Utakon (translated to Trackless Paths). Later on in the year, the Hetvezer Wrath label put out a split disc featuring Witcher titled Hoseinkert.... After the Nema Gyasz, or Silent Grief EP was put out by Rotten Crowz Productions, a split was released between Witcher and another band named Velm, followed by a re-release of Uttalan utakon by Depressive Illusions Records.

2013 saw the re-release of many more demo materials and the Witcher/Velm split, including Boszorkanytanc, or Witchdance. Released by multiple different labels, including Nihil Art (which is the label I discovered this band on), isn't without it's flaws, and still sort of has that demo quality feel, however, this is one of the best sounding albums I have come across in my life.

The tracks themselves have a way of moving from gracefully beautiful and somber to bleak and dark in sweeps that are able to justify themselves just through presenting us with so many tasteful ballads. The Intro takes us on a brief period of harmony that will partially showcase what the album has in store for us; choral samples ring in the background like Angels hanging high over a church, while a simple piano melody rings out before our ears. Absolutely gorgeous and delightful, it showcased the more atmospheric elements of the album that would be showcased in just a few more moments.

Pushing forward, Az Ejszaka Maganya, or The Night's Solitude, allows a synth line to come in and play up where the intro left off. However, this is where the Angel meets the Demon, where the simple pleasantries come to war with black metal inspired guitar shredding and drums. Paired together, you are driven into a tune that is breathtaking and one of the heaviest hitting tracks I've ever come across. This is also where we're given our first taste of this band's lead vocals; dark, growling to an extreme, and just sounding exactly how you'd expect a demon to speak to you, or at least conduct a ritual, it added in fuel to the already grand melody. Not only that, but this track spans for thirteen minutes and seventeen seconds, so you better sit your ass down and prepare to feast on this amazing orchestra of darkness.

Moving onto the title track of the album, it serves as a light in the darkness; Boszorkanytanc or Witchdance provides a dark ambient track that renders such sullen images and bewildering scriptures that I was able to completely fall into a new world while listening to it. Such lovely, built up synth lines roll out over an already deep and earth shattering atmosphere that it'd hard not to fall in love with every single note that changes throughout the track. Again, be prepared to listen to thirteen minutes of pure bliss.

Next up came Eltunt, Elveszett, or Lost and Gone. For the first minute, it sounds like a continuation of the previous track, but then comes in with guitar leads that blend right well within the ambiance of the whole song. Drums take a bit more of a prominent scale this time around, especially when the vocals claw their way in. Another thirteen minutes that I've spent with this album, and it's another thirteen minutes that I've well spent.

The next ten minute attraction comes along with Emlekhullas or Remembrancefalling. Slower paced drums, which manage to take on a heavier stance, match the vocals' speed. The growls come more dragged out, taking their time with each delivery, and the synths expertly follow each lyric that's delivered. Another goosebump-giving song that made me fall for this album even more than I already have.

And, with all said and done, the Outro brings us back to where the Intro left us off. This time without piano work, and allowing the angelic samples and heavy synths to carry us on our way out of this lovely and beautiful sounding piece of art.

Now, when I first put my eyes upon Witcher, I thought, Alright, they seem to be playing on a theme that's been played upon a few thousand times in the past. They can't possibly bring anything good. But, still, for one reason or the next I decided to research further into the band and look up their music. And I was utterly dumbfounded by what came before me. Every sound and noise that comes out of this album perfectly defines what the title of the album displays.

Sure, it still does have that demo quality feel to it as I've said before, but that is seriously a minor complaint in comparison to what these two have managed to do. While most bands' demos sound like shit, both Karola and Roland managed to craft a stellar sounding demo that feels to me like expert craftsmanship belonging on a professional, studio level album.

I have taken part in this dance. It's your turn to experience the dark spells Witcher makes their magic with. Jan 13 2015