Bewitcher – Cursed Be Thy Kingdom
Release Date: 16th April 2021
Label: Century Media
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Genre: Classic Heavy Metal
FFO: Venom, Saxon, Iron Maiden.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Vocalist M Von Bewitcher has a voice that you just can’t place. His style sounds like somebody you think you should know, but like nobody you actually do know. It is quite a feat.
The reason for bringing this up is that ‘Cursed Be Thy Kingdom’ by Portland trio ‘Bewitcher’ is their 3rd album proper and their 1st for the metal juggernaut label that is Century Media. It is also a departure from the style of their first 2 albums that presumably got them their big label deal. The band have veered away from their blackened speed metal roots into more of a classic metal sound. Crucially, this manoeuvring has not included the vocal delivery.
Let us not beat about the bush. It is the vocals that set this album apart in the genre. In carrying on with his previous speed metal sneer, Von Bewitcher has ensured that songs like, ‘Satanick Magick Attack’ and the album title track, ‘Cursed be thy Kingdom’ are not mere heavy metal fodder. With riffs that could adorn a NWOBHM album, think Saxon and Iron Maiden, the band have not only circumnavigated this, they have created an album that never stops being interesting.
Bewitcher have also maintained their lyrical content and this also sits perfectly well with their new (old) sound. ‘Valley of the Ravens’ is a perfect example, creating a mental imagery as understated riffage permeates throughout, with a welcome handful of solos. It is a great song that only gets better with each listen.
In changing their style, you have to wonder the reasoning behind it. Apparently, recording the album was ‘an arduous journey’. This would, on its own, not account for the change. If it was a conscious decision by the band, then they have shown balls of steel in presenting an album to Century Media that is so different from the albums that got them signed.
It is also a decision that will hopefully pay off, as it is an impressive 36 minutes of classic Heavy Metal.
(3.5 / 5)
