Scene from Wizard of Gore
corporate goons with blood on their hands, what else is new?
Impetigo - Wizard of Gore
a rung below early death or autopsy for me and i'm more of a '90s DM guy in any case, but 'tis classic creeping horror shit, grisly and fucked in the head.
7/10
Varathron - Hellwitch (Witches Gathering)
i should probably revisit this album 'cause i like this better than i remembered. i'm sure what put me off was the melodies which stray too far into sappy melodeath/peaceville territory (i.e. on the chorus), and contrary to CiG i do think this is at the wimpier end of black metal tbh, but it's extremely catchy and then around the 3 minute mark it starts mounting up into a damn good climax. big rush from "the blood, the flesh, and satan himselffffff" exploding into the faster riff, that's the good stuff. 8/10
Saint Vitus - Mystic Lady
never liked the opening riff of this song much, but other than that it's one of the best on the album. granted that album is ofc the weakest of the first 3 reagers and this isn't peak vitus by any stretch, but still strong. 7.5/10
Black Knight - Day of the Wizard
the fuck? i'm familiar with master of disaster but i've never heard this. obviously i'm gonna adore everything about this, total chef's kiss of a tune, easy mastery. 9.5/10
Black Magic - Rite of the Wizard
these guys aren't really anything special in the songwriting department and there isn't an original bone in their bodies, but they clearly have stellar taste in music and know exactly how to recapture the spirit of it. sometimes that's enough... killer destruction riff on the verses, bridge is a solid as fuck di anno-era maiden homage, some of the lead guitar and vocal stylings are informed by mercyful fate, what's not to like? i guess i could do without the warmed over early '80s speed metal riff leading into the verses. 7.5/10
Barathrum - Dark Sorceress (Autumn Siege)
ahhh yes, an oft forgotten staple of the pompey canon. doesn't do a ton for me though, i know the stripped down simplicity is meant to be the point but more often than not sparse doomy black metal stuff leaves me cold (see also: a lot of classic varathron), i just need more going on. i do like the opening section but even then it's just manowar with shittier vocals. 6/10
Savatage - White Witch
this does get by on sheer charisma and exuberance but it's not one of the stronger songs on this album, chorus is cookie cutter. vocals and musicianship are fucking god tier though let's be real. 7.5/10
Mystifier - An Elizabethan Devil Worshipper's Prayer Book
this one i do love. truly fucking ancient and occult sounding, creepy as fuck, quintessential south american cult shit. the rambling barely coherent vocals are badass, and when it speeds up it doesn't disappoint either. 8.5/10
Obtained Enslavement - Warlock
i considered submitting something from this myself, probably the most legendary symphonic BM album (emperor who?). i should've done tbf, way better than my pick. unlike so many bands like this they actually have serious technical and compositional chops which helps a lot. OH MIGHTY WARLOCK, FORGOTTEN BY TIME... 9/10
Necrodeath - The Revenge of the Witches
it's a little superficial but i do enjoy this kind of amped up hateful riffy black thrash now and again (see also: ad hominem), and i agree with CiG there's something a little off-kilter here which helps it stand out. i especially love the garbage can toms(?) skittling in at the end of the mid-paced slayer riff. didn't even know they were still around, let alone had a billion albums out since fragments of insanity. 8/10
Avatarium - Lady in the Lamp
i can get weary of these slow building ballads with post-rock structures myself but this hits the spot and works great as a playlist closer, the climax is pretty fucking colossal. 8.5/10
one of the better playlists we've had IMO, can't wait for the next round when only 3 people participate!