Witchmaster / Voidhanger
Razing the Shrines of Optimism (split)
Third Eye Temple
January 20th, 2017
Attention motherfuckers! All your silly and positive New Year resolutions are about to be crashed and destroyed with hatred-filled split which is coming your way and it’s going to be unleashed by Third Eye Temple on the 20th January, 2017. When the news of Witchmaster and Voidhanger recording a split together surfaced in front of my eyes, it only meant one thing – prepare for total unholy annihilation! Both of the black metal thrashing hordes are well known in the extreme metal underground. Witchmaster just celebrated the twentieth anniversary this year and Voidhanger is penetrating our souls with misanthropic yet highly additive tunes for almost a decade now. Between both of the bands the musicianship and dedication to the black art is overwhelming, if you look into the line-ups, you’ll find musicians from big names like Behemoth, Infernal War, Azarath and Christ Agony. Enough said, let’s focus on the new offering, awesomely named Razing the Shrines of Optimism.
Razing the Shrines of Optimism is going to be released strictly on the vinyl, limited to 500 copies only. Witchmaster’s new song Permafrost is the first track on this record. Blasting with fury, it is an over three minute long pure assault. I could not expect any less from this band. I’m already looking forward to what they can produce on the next full-length. The second song took me by surprise. Tanz Debil is a cover song of the German industrial band, Einstürzende Neubauten. After first listening I wasn’t so sure what to think of it but, I would recommend to check out the original version and the lyrics translation, because that song is fucking sick. Superb interpretation! The next three Witchmaster songs are live recordings of Tormentor Infernal, Morbid Death and Satanic Metal Attack from their highly acclaimed debut record, Violence & Blasphemy. Nice little gift for the die-hard fans as well as the great introduction to those who are not familiar with the masochistic devil worshipping force like Witchmaster.
The second side of the split belongs to Voidhanger! Burnout Hearts Exhibition is a combination of death/black extravaganza with hints of thrash and crossover influences. Fast, heavy, mind-blowing filth, this is just what the doctor ordered. Dyskretny Urok Upadku is probably my favourite track on this record. Full of aggression and blasphemous lyrics that will stay with me for a long time. The best part of the song is when Warcrimer is shouting out ‘…Pójdziesz do piekła skurwielu…‘ (you’ll go to Hell motherfucker), it’s absolutely astonishing! Through the Holocaust of Optimism is the last offering from the Polish unholy trio. Another cracking song, catchy riffs with dirty and not overdone vocals will make your head bang back and forth.
What can I say? Superb production featuring two titans of Polish extreme underground. Don’t hesitate to order it if you respect the underground scene and like some crazy tunes. Razing the Shrines of Optimism is honest to the core. No messing about, just extreme metal!
THE GOAT TAVERN 