Hellwitch will celebrate their fortieth anniversary in 2024, but unlike some of the other death metal and thrash adjacent bands that have been around just as long they haven’t generated quite much of a buzz over the years. Between 1984 and 1989 Hellwitch released quite a few demos, coming in with a more technical and complex take on thrash metal and what would later become death metal at the same time as contemporaries like Death and Possessed. 1990 full length Syzygial Miscreancy sounded ahead of its time with fast and furious songwriting that was shifting so frequently it could be hard to keep up. That might be part of the reason the group hasn’t clicked in the same way as say Death, Possessed, or even Atheist, but the massive gap between albums has played a role as well. Sophomore effort Omnipotent Convocation came some nineteen years after its predecessor and seemed to be ushering in a new era of activity from Hellwitch but they would go silent once again after its release. Founder Pat Ranieri and long-time guitarist John Brown have kept at it in the interim, and now with drummer Brian Wilson in their ranks the band has returned after another fourteen-year gap. Annihilational Intercention brings things full circle with both brand-new songs as well as ones that are reworked from those early demo days, and while it still won’t be for everyone those who want a wild and over the top thrill ride of an album will find plenty to love.
This far into their career, Ranieri and company sound laser focused on delivering the type of frantic and technically impressive death/thrash that Hellwitch pioneered some four decades ago. Annihilational Intercention doesn’t bring any drastic tweaks to the formula but considering that this group has always had a sound of their own this isn’t a bad thing. What you get with this album is fast, over the top riffing that does its best to bludgeon you with one riff after the next while feeling like a rollercoaster ride thanks to how frantic the transitions can be. This type of technical madness definitely isn’t for everyone, and even if you like this kind of stuff there are some moments on Annihilational Intercention that can blur together due to just how much is crammed into each song and how quickly Hellwitch moves between ideas. But that’s also a huge part of the appeal, and in lesser hands the dizzying riffs and start/stop approach from blasting to mid-tempo grooves would absolutely fall apart. That’s not the case here, and the level of musicianship really stands out from beginning to end. Songs like “Delegated Disruption” move from blitzkriegs of blasting drums and scorching solos that put most current death and thrash to shame but offer up just the briefest of respites in the form of slightly slower grooves that stick out upon repeat listens. The reworked version of “Anthropophagi” from Hellwitch’s 1994 demo is also a highlight, as it goes for some unexpected acoustic guitar and softer sections that build naturally from slower, moodier riffs into more chaotic and over the top blasts. This song as well as “Hellwitch” and “Torture Chamber” are all from the earlier demo days, but they flow seamlessly with the newly written material and give listeners plenty to dig into. Each time through often reveals different sections that jump out you without ever dulling the impact, and that makes this an album I wanted to dive back into again and again. I did find that interlude “Sorcerous Imminence” seemed a bit unnecessary, especially only four tracks in, but that’s a minor flaw for an otherwise whiplash inducing death/thrash effort.
If you were wondering what type of vocals would fit this type of intense, ever-changing music, the answer is screams and shrieks that are just as over the top. Pat Ranieri hasn’t lost any of his edge in this regard, and while his performance is likely to be an acquired taste if you enjoyed any past Hellwitch material or anything from Overkill you’ll be in good company here. Ranieri hits similar shrieks and levels of distortion as Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth, and it keeps the material punching you directly in the face on a consistent basis. There’s nothing clean or restrained to the performance, and this makes “Anthropophagi” stand out even more as the screams and shrieks are continued even during the acoustic passages. If this were any other band you’d expect from chanting or ominous spoken word during the softer moments, but Hellwitch say screw that and get even crazier with all sorts of ear piercing and inhuman sounding pitches. It’s truly a love or hate it moment, but if your tastes are for the weird and abrasive then this may make you appreciate the album even more.
You never know just when Hellwitch is going to reappear, but each time they have their core approach has remained unchanged and their focus has been on leaving behind a trail of destruction with furious, constantly changing song structures. Annihilational Intercention is no different, but it has some substance underneath the flashiness and even though some moments will blur together on repeat listens there are always details that stand out with each time through. If you like your death/thrash on the technical and over the top side of the spectrum, this is another must listen. Annihilational Intercention is available from Listenable Records.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg