Posts Tagged ‘Michael Ballue’

Album of the day: Arkham Witch – On Crom’s Mountain

Posted on Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Lovingly pinched from HellrideMusic: Back in 2009 Arkham Witch released a great demo, so their debut full length had been much anticipated. That anticipation has now been well rewarded. Ten brand new rough and ready, in your face metal smashers leaping out of the speakers to savage the listener like a rabid wolf.

Since the demo Aldo has joined on guitar, with John still manning the bass and Simon and Emily from The Lamp of Thoth (and all prayers to the gods of metal that the Lamp’s rumored grave be shallow and premature, the world needs that band) on vocals and drums respectively. Other than that addition to the lineup, not much has changed. The magnificent beast that first roared on the demo is just bigger, stronger and more experienced.

‘Battering Ram’ is a damn fit title to open this album with. The guitar snaps, snarls and worries the flesh, while the rhythm section swaggers with arrogant authority and Simon’s immediately recognizable vocals lead it all in that inimitable combination of bard, braggart and brigand that has become his signature.

‘The Lord of R’lyeh’ swings on a vicious hook of riff and melody that so damn perfectly sacrifices the corpse of 70’s hard rock on the altar of Lovecraft’s dark god that the retarded herd of occult retro rockers will be gnashing their teeth and shredding their flares in envy.

Continue reading: HellrideMusic.com – Arkham Witch – On Crom’s Mountain.

Tags: Album of the day, Arkham Witch, Barbarian Wrath, HellrideMusic, Michael Ballue, On Crom's Mountain, The Lamp of Thoth
Posted in 2011, Album of the Day, Roadburn Recommended | No Comments »