Review by JD on March 7, 2011.

Greek metal is by far, the most misunderstood commodity ever in the scene. I have heard some amazing metal from the small country that has brought me Ouzo, and was interested to see Greek metallists Witchcurse come to my desk. What was Greece sending me now... I asked myself. I will just go on ‘n’ see.

It was clear from the first guitar blast that came out of the speakers, that I was going to like this album very much. Witchcurse is this straight ahead, balls to the wall, no delusion of anything metal band. This is no Death metal, no Black, no Thrash or any other sub genre of metal. They are just a band that brings to the table the classic sounds of metal in the vein of early Armoured Saint and Judas Priest.

The album is a throwback to the very early 80's, blasting out. Songs about swilling beer and partying are the staple. They are not trying to rally against anything, or be intellectual and change the world in one fell swoop - they just want to make pure metallic fun. With simple but catchy and very heavy riffs, infectious rhythms and looking to have no nonsense pure fun... they are a true throwback to the time of the simpler metal.

Witchcurse is a band that has no fluff or any of that hair band commercial crap - they are just a straight to the point booze soaked, loud and alway raucous metal band that is just there for the pure enjoyment of it all. This band brings back the days when people in denim vests stand and headbang until the last strains of music passes and the beers are all empty with bottles strewn everywhere.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Production: 7(a little weak)
Originality: 7
Overall: 9

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Review by JD on August 23, 2016.

I have reviewed this stellar Finnish band awhile back (album was named Nil) I gave that heavy and viciously melancholic masterpiece a whopping 9.9 out of 10. I hit play on the CD player and wait, hoping that this amazing doom/death act from Finland can match the last one.

The 0 X í S T album begins with the first cut hammering through the speakers, I am struck by one thing … it is brutally heavy as shit. Melodic yet ponderingly slow, the album kicks off with a dark tune about a dark place people go to in sorrow. The next few tracks are as well vicious as the first, showing complexity that just adds to the nasty vibe they are creating. Showing they are influenced by such bands like Novembers Doom, they add and really odd Cradle Of Filth vibe to it.

Songs like the lumbering slowness of the album opener called 'In the Hood of the Clan of Tombs', to the sweeping slow paced epic vibe of over twelve minute 'No life to Bother' creates such a dark and ominous album that oozes greatness with each passing second. Each song drags you into their world of lurking shadows, despair and blackness… exactly what a good, solid doom album should be.

Perhaps it is the progressive vibe that deepens the heaviness, and catapults 0 X í S T into a doom metal category all of themselves but whatever this band has in store for the next release, be certain that I will be getting it – and I don’t care if I end up not doing it for review purposes, it will be in hand as soon as I can get it there.

Rating: 10 out of 10