Ever since the untimely demise of Cathedral it has fallen upon Witchsorrow to carry the lantern of doom across Albion’s shores.

As the unhallowed lovechild between the UK’s prime pioneers of Sabbath worship and the uncrowned dukes of depravity Electric Wizard this power trio from Hampshire have vied for the iron dopethrone for the fourth time now.

Being the true heir to Lee Dorrian, Mr Necroskull does his spiritual father more than proud through his lyrical wailings which could be a dead ringer for the old Rise Above boss. Of course, that also means that his vocal style mostly benefits from an inspired delivery rather than actually being a talented singer, but don’t let that stop you.

Latter day Cathedral might have enjoyed some rather experimental sidesteps into musical realms unknown, but Skully & co keep their feet firmly planted before the altar of the riff, which is where the Wizard connection shines through.

It’s not all fuzzed out doom ‘n gloom though, the fired up third track will testify. Generally though his lovely wife, Emily Witch, keeps her throbbing bass pumping in a haze of slowly crawling antediluvian grooves.

The threesome’s lineup hasn’t really changed across their four records since their inception way back in 2005 and neither has their outlook on their art. In case you were somewhat and not entirely unjustly disappointed by Oborn & Buckingham’s latest spawn, these Brits do definitely deliver on the goods. They’re by no means reinventing the wheel-or is that the rack- and they never will if they can help it, but for an honest and lovingly crafted slice of doom, ‘Hexenhammer’ will smash any remaining sceptics.

Release date: May 25th, 2018
Label: Candlelight/ Spinefarm
Tracklist:
1. Maleficus
2. Hexenhammer
3. The Devil’s Throne
4. Demons of the Mind
5. Eternal
6. The Parish
7. Like Sisyphus