Sardonic Witchery: Hell’s Thorns Attack
Conceived and blasting onto the scene back in 2012 as a solo entity that emerged from Portugal before later carving its mark into the USBM and laying claim to the now Texas region. There has always been something refreshingly unapologetic about the raw aggression that is Sardonic Witchery. Sitting somewhere in between the ritualistic and caustic filth of the first-wave black metal with the rawness of the vile extremity paired with the primitive aggression and velocity that is hard hitting from early Thrash. Where many modern Black Metal increasingly lean into a more polished production, King Demogorgon’s creation remains true to the raw and ugliness that is TrvE Kvlt Black metal.
King Demogorgon now alongside G. Lucis Ruina have released something truly unholy with Sardonic Witchery’s latest album “Hell’s Thorns Attack”. Recently released on September 1st of 2026 under the banner of Firecum Records. This full-length album is 35:27 minutes of raw blasphemy that is an unrelenting torrent of aggression that blasts through a total of eight solid tracks. So let's dive right in shall we?
Before we dive into the music I want to first bring notice to the traditional styled chromatic drawn styled artwork of their album cover. A goat demon clad in spiked bracers and guards, traditional to Black Metal attire, skews what appears to be Michael The Archangel. The scene appears to take place over a rocky landscape scattered with skulls and shrouded in fog under a full moon. Chained skulls dangle from the top right while the band's logo sits top left in a deep red and the album title sits bottom center within the same deep red.
A beautifully played power chord progression fades in that will remind you of earlier thrash, raw and simplistic. With a bit of a heavy drum lead in, “Crown of Burning Spikes” takes off in an unrelenting torrent of blasting bass drums, raw tones and sheer aggression. With a solid chord progression that builds the track up into heavy hitting rhythms and barrages of drums that only pick up in speed. The raw and caustic aggression is an amazing start to the album. Near the midpoint, there is a delightful but short lived power solo carried under the blast beats that pair so perfectly with the overall tonality of the track and low tuned rhythm.
“Hateful Evil Throne” picks up with heavy drumrolls and a few well placed powerchords that squeals over the low and heavy rhythm. Before breaking away into a steady beat. A few well-timed kicks break the track into yet another raw torrent of thrashing visceral tones that shreds your senses in such a good way. Traditional thrash chord progressions and loud squealing power chords over the low tuned rhythm just hit so perfectly.
Sardonic Witchery’s crude and morbid tremolo-heavy riffs and raw chord progressions along with the racing but heavy barrages of blast beats and steady drumming showcase their dedication and influences to Early Thrash and Black Metal. Like a buzzsaw, “Hell’s Thorns Attack” hits hard and has no sign of slowing down from start to finish. With the well timed and hard hitting short but powerful breakdowns that often break into raw solos before being brought back with traditional Thrash chord progressions.
There were a few parts where the levels weren't quite right with vocals. Sitting a bit low for me or various times the guitar levels seemed off from one another in levels. But that's the rawness of it all and within its purest form. It’s not so much about being polished as it is to be caustic and grotesque. For that I have respect for it and still thoroughly enjoyed the album.
For me, I thoroughly enjoyed “Raped By Horrenddous Night”. The chord progressions and overall tone brought me back to earlier elements of Black Metal. That unpolished fierce build up and steady breakdown that is paired with the visceral vocals really drive it home for me. I thought the switch ups in time signatures, that transitioned into a steady but upbeat chord progression and solid solo, was perfect. Simply putrid in all the right ways and that faded scream near the end did the track well.
Closing the album with “Dark Moon Slaughter”, the track leads with a raw grove rhythm under a squealing lead. The track soon takes off in a steady, thrashing pace that leaves you reminiscing of the early 90’s. Fast and relentless that has a solid rhythmic chord progression that will bring you to way back. Perfect track to end the album.
Overall, a decent album from Sardonic Witchery. Raw and unapologetic Blacked Thrash that will remind you of elements of Sodom, Destruction, Kreator and even, dare I say, early Beherit, Bathory and early Celtic Frost. Almost as though it is chaotic profanity fused into an aggressively caustic thrash backbone. So if you are looking for that unpolished rawness of early Blackened Thrash that hits hard and fast then look no further. I recommend getting a copy of “Hell’s Thorns Attack” to add to your collection.
SCORE: 8.5/10
Head over to Firecum Records and get your copy today or at the band’s Bandcamp or stream it on their Spotify. To follow Sardonic Witchery, feel free to head over and drop them a follow here.
