Witchburner are a German thrash metal band from Fulda, formed in 1992 by drummer and singer Tankred Best and guitarist Florian Schmidt. From the start they were obsessed with the sound of German thrash of the mid-80s, with influences from Kreator, Destruction and Protector. After thirteen years of silence, they return with their eighth record, «Black Raging Flames».
Country: Germany
Genre: Teutonic Thrash / Speed Metal
For fans of: Kreator, Destruction, Sodom
The record runs about thirty-five minutes and has ten tracks, full of the band’s familiar aggressive sound: fast riffs, loud vocals and energy that does not stop. On vocals is again Pino Hecker, who had also sung on their previous record, «Bloodthirsty Eyes» from 2013, and he returns with a clear, strong voice that fits the sound perfectly.
The album starts strong with «Richtschwert» and «Pestilent Disciple», which show that the long break did not hurt them: the band sounds more tight-knit than ever. «Siege of Terror» and the title track «Black Raging Flames» have the characteristic refrains shouted all together, while there is also a cover of «Too Fast for Hell» by Vectom, in honor of the era they love.
Witchburner never followed trends: while other bands of their time became heavier or more melodic, they stayed faithful to genuine, old German thrash. «Black Raging Flames» is a record that flows nicely, sticks to the essentials and entertains without unnecessary tricks. For fans of old thrash, it is a very good return, recommended by Mystification Zine.
See also: Exumer – Death Mask Messiah and Kreator: Krushers Of The World
