Swedish Blackened Thrash act WITCHERY have released ‘A Paler Shade of Death’ from their remastered album “Dead, Hot And Ready”, which was originally released in 1999. Listen to the track here:
On March 27th , 2020, almost twenty years after their first release it´s time to re-introduce the classic Heavy-Metal pieces “Restless & Dead”, “Witchburner EP”, “Dead, Hot And Ready” and Symphony For The Devil” by WITCHERY with remastered sound as well as reworked artworks and rare photos. All albums feature the iconic artwork of Kristian “Necrolord” Wåhlin and contain detailed liner notes from band members as well as close fellows.
Swedish blackened Thrash Metallers WITCHERY are now launching a second single and video for the track “Of Blackened Wing”, off their upcoming album “I Am Legion”, to be released on November 10th, 2017 via Century Media Records.
Check out “Of Blackened Wing” in a video by Martin Hultgren / Gryt Film here:
WITCHERY guitarist Jensen checked in with the following comment about “Of Blackened Wing”: “‘Of Blackened Wing’ is a song that perfectly combines both the old and new sounds of WITCHERY. It mixes the thrashing touch of old with the grittiness and rawness of new. It’s one of my personal favorites on the “I Am Legion” album and it will definitely be a part of our set for our upcoming live shows.”
The album’s first single “True North” and its video produced by Niklas Sundin / Cabin fever media can still be checked out here: https://youtu.be/It1qQVwH6xk
A brief trailer for “I Am Legion” can also be seen here: https://youtu.be/xrc4VdkUQ4c
As with last year’s previous album “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service”, “I Am Legion” was created in the WITCHERY line-up consisting of Angus Norder (Vocals), Jensen (Guitar), Rickard Rimfält (Lead Guitar), Sharlee D’Angelo (Bass) and Chris Barkensjö (Drums). The album was also produced and mixed by Daniel Bergstrand at Dugout Studios (Behemoth, In Flames, Meshuggah) and comes packaged in powerful artwork by Andreas Diaz Pettersson.
Here is the tracklisting and formats overview for “I Am Legion”:
WITCHERY – “I Am Legion”
Tracklisting:
1. Legion
2. True North
3. Welcome, Night
4. Of Blackened Wing
5. Dry Bones
6. Amun-Ra
7. Seraphic Terror
8. A Faustian Deal
9. An Unexpected Guest
10. Great Northern Plague
11. The Alchemist
The album’s initial CD pressing comes as Digipak with 2 bonus tracks: “Ragnarök” and “Apex Ghoul”. “I Am Legion” is also available as 180gr. vinyl version on either black vinyl or limited coloured runs on clear vinyl (100x copies via CM Webshop) and transparent red vinyl (200x copies via CM Distro). Pre-order your copy while supply lasts!
After just having wrapped up a string of Swedish dates supporting The Haunted, WITCHERY have recently been added to both the upcoming editions of the Close-Up cruise as well as to the 70,000 Tons Of metal cruise. Here is a list of the band’s upcoming shows:
WITCHERY live
26.-27.10.2017 Close Up Båten (Sweden) – Cruise ship festival
25.11.2017 Bogotá (Colombia) – Festival del Diablo III
01-05.02.2018 70,000 Tons Of Metal (USA) Cruise ship festival
02.-04.03.2018 Tilburg (The Netherlands) – Netherlands Death Fest
More dates coming soon…
Following up last year’s acclaimed “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service” album, Swedish blackened Thrash Metallers WITCHERY have announced the release of their new album “I Am Legion” for November 10th, 2017 via Century Media Records.
As with the previous album, “I Am Legion” was created in the WITCHERY line-up consisting of Angus Norder (Vocals), Jensen (Guitar), Rickard Rimfält (Lead Guitar), Sharlee D’Angelo (Bass) and Chris Barkensjö (Drums). The album was also produced and mixed by Daniel Bergstrand at Dugout Studios (Behemoth, In Flames, Meshuggah) and comes packaged in powerful artwork by Andreas Diaz Pettersson, which can be seen above.
The album’s first single “True North” is being launched today with a video produced by Niklas Sundin / Cabin fever media, which can be checked out here:
WITCHERY guitarist Jensen checked in with a comment about the upcoming album as follows:
“The first few days after the release of “Nosferatu” (the first single from 2016’s “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service” album) I was quite taken aback. There had been so many years between the releases of “Don’t Fear The Reaper” and “Witchkrieg” (4 years) and then an additional 6 more years between “Witchkrieg” and “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service” that I hardly thought anyone remembered WITCHERY anymore…
We got our s*** together for “IHIMS” in order to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary. We wrote new songs and got a few new members so we could make the album happen and have it released in 2016. But that was the goal; to merely celebrate the band’s 20 years of existence. Then, after “Nosferatu” was released, this massive wave of appreciation started to surface. When the full album dropped in November 2016 we experienced a surge of positive feedback on the rest of the album as well. I mean, we all loved the album and knew it was good, but we were thrilled to see that also other people heard what we heard; that it was a great album and that this line-up had both the chops and riffs needed, displaying them with an enthusiasm and bravado perhaps not seen since maybe the early days of the band’s existence!
This feedback of positive energy set things in motion within the band. Remembering our promise from somewhere around the release of the “Dead, Hot And Heavy” album that we would put out two albums a year (youthful hubris, anyone?), we thought to ourselves: “Let’s try to put out a new album within a year of the release of IHIMS”. Said and done.
So here we are. It’s August 2017, and we are very happy and immensely proud to announce “I Am Legion”, the new full-length follow-up album to 2016’s “IHIMS”, scheduled for release on November 10th! With “I Am Legion” having the same line-up, the same studio (Dugout Studios) and the same producer (Danne Bergstrand) as on “IHIMS”, you just know that this will be yet another sonic fist-to-the-face riffage offering! We think “IHIMS” is a great album, but we also think “I Am Legion” takes everything up a notch or two!
Those of you who saw us play at Wacken a few weeks ago got to hear the world premiere of the song “True North”, which will be the first single from the new album. We are very excited about “I Am Legion” and we hope this release shows that WITCHERY, albeit after 20 years of existence, isn’t going to fade away. On the contrary, WITCHERY is more likely entering the most productive phase yet in the band’s career!”
Jensen continued by adding the following comment about the album’s first single:
“”True North” is somewhat of a different song compared to what WITCHERY usually puts out. Maybe that’s why we made it the first song on the new album? Regardless, it’s a song that we in the band all really like and that most likely will become a regular in our live set.”
WITCHERY Live:
09.09.2017 Örebro (Sweden) – Frimis Salonger + The Haunted
10.09.2017 Linköping (Sweden) – Backstage + The Haunted
21.09.2017 Göteborg (Sweden) – Pustervik + The Haunted
22.09.2017 Stockholm (Sweden) – Debaser Strand + The Haunted
23.09.2017 Malmö (Sweden) – KB + The Haunted
29.09.2017 Hultsfred (Sweden) – Mörkaste Småland Festival
25.11.2017 Bogotá (Colombia) – Festival del Diablo III
02.-04.03.2018 Tilburg, (The Netherlands) – Netherlands Death Fest
More dates coming soon…
In light of the upcoming release date for their 6th album “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service” next week, on November 25th, 2016 via Century Media Records, Swedish blackened Metallers WITCHERY are debuting another new song as digital single today.
Check out the merciless track ‘Oath Breaker’ with background footage by Gryt Film / grytfilm.com as streaming clip here:
WITCHERY’s guitarist and band-leader Jensen commented as follows on ‘Oath Breaker’, the closing track on the new record: “This might be my favorite song of the whole album. Totally relentless in its thrashy-ness, yet beautiful and epic during the choruses. I can’t wait to get to play this song live! Lyrical topic: A fictional story about a secret society that protects is vows of secrecy.”
The album’s complete track-.listing is as follows:
WITCHERY – “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service”:
1. Lavey-athan
2. Zoroast
3. Netherworld Emperor
4. Nosferatu
5. The Burning Of Salem
6. Gilded Fang
7. Empty Tombs
8. In Warm Blood
9. Escape From Dunwich Valley
10. Feed The Gun
11. Oath Breaker
The album’s initial CD pressing comes as Digipak with 2 bonus tracks (“Eye For An Eye” and “Cloak And Dagger”, which are rare cuts from the “Witchkrieg” album sessions), as Gatefold LP on 180gr. vinyl (On black as well as limited runs of 100x white, 100x golden and 200x red vinyl colouring!) and also as Digital Download.
Celebrating the 20th year of the group’s existence, “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service” showcases an illustrious and revamped line-up consisting of original members Jensen (Guit., The Haunted), Rikard Rimfält (Guit., Seance) and Sharlee D’Angelo (Bass, Arch Enemy), alongside new additions to this nocturnal guild Angus Norder (Vox, Nekrokraft) and Chris Barkensjö (Drums, LIK). Self-evidently, WITCHERY stays the stylistic course and continues their infamous tradition of combining the best elements of old school Thrash, Speed, Death, Black and ultimately pure Heavy Metal with dead-on songwriting precision for maximum listening pleasure.
WITCHERY’s “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service” was produced and mixed by Daniel Bergstrand at Dug Out Studio (Behemoth, In Flames, Meshuggah) and comes packaged in classy artwork by Andreas Diaz Pettersson.
More news about WITCHERY and “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service” coming soon…
WITCHERY Line Up (From left to right on photo!):
Chris Barkensjö – Drums
Sharlee D’Angelo – Bass
Angus Norder – Vocals
Jensen – Guitar
Rikard Rimfält – Lead Guitar
WITCHERY Discography
Restless & Dead – 1998
Witchburner / EP – 1999
Dead, Hot And Ready – 1999
Symphony For The Devil – 2001
Don’t Fear The Reaper – 2006
Witchkrieg – 2010
In His Infernal Majesty’s Service – 2016
L to R: Chris Barkensjö (drums), Sharlee D’Angelo (bass), Angus Norder (vox), Jensen (guit) and Rikard Rimfält (guit)
A full six years after their latest studio album release, Linköping/ Sweden based blackened Metallers WITCHERY finally return with their long-awaited 6th studio album, programmatically entitled “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service” and announced for a worldwide release on November 25th, 2016, via Century Media Records.
WITCHERY had played a score of festivals in support of their latest release “Witchkrieg” (2010), did a tour of Japan together with Vader and Watain, but unfortunately the band’s line-up rotation continued. While former Dark Funeral vocalist Emperor Magus Caligula assumed live-session duties for a while (replacing ex-Marduk/ Devian frontman Legion), it was only recently that guitarist and band-leader Jensen managed to gather the right new members for the recordings of “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service”, as he explains:
“We’ve sadly had to part ways with two members prior to this album; long time band member Martin Axenrot and live member (and recording member-to-be) Emperor Magus Caligula. Martin’s departure is purely down to him being too busy with his other musical endeavors and Caligula had to leave the band over an unfortunate medical condition involving his hearing. These are both serious losses for the band and we wish them all the best in the future. We have however been able to find more than able replacements for our two lost brethren: Chris Barkensjö on the drums and Angus Norder on vocals. They both bring fresh blood and fresh ideas to the band and you can clearly hear that they both have made it necessary for us “old members” to step up our game a notch or two!”
Celebrating the 20th year of the group’s existence, “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service” showcases an illustrious and revamped line-up consisting of original members Jensen (Guit., The Haunted), Rikard Rimfält (Guit., Seance) and Sharlee D’Angelo (Bass, Arch Enemy), alongside new additions to this nocturnal guild Angus Norder (Vox, Nekrokraft) and Chris Barkensjö (Drums, LIK). Self-evidently, WITCHERY stays the stylistic course and continues their infamous tradition of combining the best elements of old school Thrash, Speed, Death, Black and ultimately pure Heavy Metal with dead-on songwriting precision for maximum listening pleasure. In regards to the musical approach and the recording procedure goals with the new album, which was produced and mixed by Daniel Bergstrand at Dug Out Studio (Behemoth, In Flames, Meshuggah), Jensen adds the following in
“Musically, I wanted to make this album more raw than the previous ones. Perhaps as raw as the first album even. I really didn’t want to over-work things, as I myself enjoy music that comes more from feeling and enthusiasm than music that has been contemplated and construed. This album is recorded by Daniel Bergstrand at his Dug Out Studio in Uppsala, Sweden. Even though Daniel has been a high profile name for ages within the Metal community, I’ve never had the opportunity to work with him before. I have to say that Daniel is really easy to work with. All around a great guy and he immediately understood what I was looking for production-wise when I spoke to him about the album. My main request was that I wanted a raw and unpolished production. I really dislike productions where you can hear that the band has had ages to complete just one song. Where there might be a month’s worth of coffee breaks between the guitar takes etc. I wanted it to sound like a real band that is playing together. My second request was that I wanted the drums to sound like on Van Halen’s “1984” album. I seriously love that aggressive middy drum sound. I think Daniel did an amazing job and I know that he rates this production very highly on his own personal list of albums he’s worked on…”
WITCHERY‘s “In His Infernal Majesty’s Service” comes packaged in classy artwork (See above) by Andreas Diaz Pettersson and Jensen comments on the cover as follows:
“Long-time friend of the band – and designer of many things associated with WITCHERY – Andreas Diaz Pettersson was once again called upon to create the artwork for our new album. He has a great ability to create artwork that really stands out within the scene, without compromising on quality or with the essence of the band. We are very pleased with what he has created for us, and we think the artwork is a great addition to the overall massive quality and appeal we truly believe this album to have. Stoked!”
While awaiting new musical samples, check out the video for the title track of WITCHERY’s 2010 album “Witchkrieg” (featuring Kerry King) here:
The End Records is pleased to announce its first in a series of Loud and Clear classic album reissues on clear vinyl. This marks the first vinyl release of WITCHERY’s “Symphony For the Devil” and of PARADISE LOST’s “Shades Of God” in the United States and Canada.
WITCHERY‘s “Symphony For The Devil” (Clear 2LP), is the Swedish metal band’s third full-length studio album, first released to underground acclaim in 2001. The album continues in the style of previous WITCHERY releases, with thrash metal riffing and solos, but with a black and death metal influence. This album sees Martin Axe of Opeth on drums, after the departure of former drummer Mique.
Track listing:
01. The Storm
02. Unholy Wars
03. Inquisition
04. Omens
05. Bone Mill
06. None Buried Deeper
07. Wicked
08. Called For By Death
09. Hearse Of The Pharoahs
10. Shallow Grave
11. Enshrined
12. The One Within
PARADISE LOST’s “Shades Of God”(Clear 2LP), is considered by fans to be the gothic metal band’s most original albums. Credited as the pioneers of Death/Doom Metal, this highly-anticipated reissue includes brand new liner notes and two bonus tracks taken from the original 1992 Japanese release.
Track listing:
01. Mortals Watch The Day
02. Crying For Eternity
03. Embraced
04. Daylight Torn
05. Pity The Sadness
06. No Forgiveness
07. Your Hand In Mine
08. The World Made Flesh
09. As I Die
Bonus Tracks
10. Rape of Virtue
11. Death Walks Behind You (Atomic Rooster Cover)
