Witcher “Öröklét”
Some Black Metal is for solitary. For nights spent in contemplation or in remembrance near candlelight or by hearth. Some Black Metal is for the realization of great truths or for the death of everything you thought you once believed in. Some Black Metal is not created with malicious intent, but for the capturing of the essence of all that makes us human: mind, body and spirit. Hardships, tragedies and death. Black Metal changes lives. One life that Black Metal, more specifically, Varg Vikernes and Burzum, has had a substantial impact on is that of Szombathely, Vas, Hungary’s Roland Neubauer of Witching Black Metal duo, WitcheR.
I’ve reviewed most every WitcheR album, and I have been afforded the honor of interviewing Roland on more than one occasion. I do admire what he and his keyboardist/vocalist, Karola Gere, have done with the most precious dark art of Black Metal. The project has evolved into something extraordinary in comparison to WitcheR’s A gyertyák csonkig égnek days. Something a little more sophisticated in composition and even a bit more extravagant in sequence: epic, highly expressive and cathartic on both vocal and instrumental fronts. And the sentiment is always the same - life and existential peril: broken dreams, facing the truth, mourning what you once thought was true and death. A substantial but also a none too relevant cultural leaning: heritage, tradition and pride. True Hungarian Black Metal! Three, soon to be four LPs make up WitcheR’s modest discography. And on November 4th - upon the season of Autumnal decay and crisp dreamless nights, they will release Öröklét via Roland’s own Filosofam Records.
It’s in the melancholy - the way that each passage seems to radiate the ache of existence through every composition, despite how uplifting the horns section is or how crisp every cymbal crash might be. Throbbing like a hammer-busted-thumb is the tempo and depressive is the vibe so far. Depressive one minute and triumphant the next! Melodies fit for the drumming of war or for nights of hot victory. But it’s always back into the heart of the matter… The elephant in the room, whatever it may be. All we know is that Its soundtrack is hopeless like Føsphene, Hauntologist or Mgła. Synths during the intro to the opener, “Örökség”, create an aura of mystification just before they blend into what has quickly become quite a gorgeous symphony of Black Metal. WitcheR never fails at creating that cozy home vibe, even if it is the home vibe just before a funeral. But nevertheless, I always get grandma’s house vibes when I listen to WitcheR. In this case, it’s a subtle sense of warmth that radiates just below the surface in melodies soft and sure. Little melodies that speak of the days when family meant sacredness, the bond was organic and losses cut to the bone. WitcheR’s music harkens back to simpler times before technology’s curse, before we had all of the information in the Universe in the palm of our hands. And it’s for that reason why I hold WitcheR to a standard above a lot of other contemporary Black Metal bands, soloists and duos. It is because their music means something.
A little more temped with “Szélhozó”. The pace dialed down to a contemplative lull. Martial rhythms drive along striking melodic passages at an easy tempo. Symphony never sounded so wholesome, so heartfelt. Much like with Ukraine’s Nokturnal Mortum, what we have here is symphony rooted in pure, true Black Metal that speaks of heritage and of culture. A nice complement to the music are the symphonic parts, as opposed to them dominating everything, and everything just flows nicely. Öröklét has a very organic feel to it. Easy to tune into and to absorb its energy. You won’t know whether to cry on the edge of your bed or ride off into the sunset…Do both!
A meaningful affair indeed. Death appears to be the general idea? Certainly feels that way. There’s a certain weightiness to this recording - substantial like the assurance of death - meaningful as a mournful passing. Somewhere stylistically between where Burzum and Mortiis meet Sear Bliss is where you’ll find “Öröklét”. There’s plenty here for the Dungeon Synth dork, the Classically inspired solo BM enthusiast and even those with a taste for Ambient. Epic! But in the classiest way possible and just oozing sophistication is WitcheR as per par.
As golden as a warm sundown and as frigid as a bitter open-wind gale. Black Metal for renewal? Perhaps. For revelation? Most certainly. A beautiful piece. WitcheR and Witching Black Metal - for when only the finest classically inspired Black Metal will do. For when only the majesty of symphony will do! For when only the magick of true Hungarian Black Metal will do. Music that will turn you into a snob…and rightfully so. Brilliant!
SCORE: 9.5 / 10
You can purchase the album on WitcheR’s Bandcamp or stream it on the band’s Spotify when it is released November 4th.
