Slayer started it. Neurosis picked up the reigns with Pain of Mind. Somewhere around the turn of the century, Darkthrone changed direction. Now, in the second decade of the second millennium AD, Witchaven emerge as the kings of black thrash punk metal. It’s the kind of music that simultaneously makes a metal head drink beer and head-bang while a straight-edge crust punk quietly nods his head in the corner.
The music on Terrorstorm is perhaps best summed up by the album’s third track, “Black Thrash Assault,” where grooving thrash metal riffage converges with grim black metal vocals and tight blast beats. Adding politically charged lyrics and a crust-punk sensibility broadens the spectrum, making Witchaven’s unique brand of punk/metal more accessible to a wider audience.
Admittedly, most of the songs here are indiscernible from each other, except for maybe the crazy solos delivered by guitarist Jerry and guitarist/vocalist Henry Montoya. It’s on “Empty Chasm” and the ending “Unholy Copulation” that the band really show their black metal side, crafting emotional songs of misery and despair that would make a typical Motörhead fan’s head wobble violently all over his or her neck.
The truth is, Witchaven have a really good start here. If they branch out and explore musically, they can be the next Neurosis. For now, this is an excellent debut.
