Witchery - Don't Fear the Reaper (2006)

   As it was previously mentioned, there are plenty of bands in Sweden who are dedicated to refer back to the style of the '80s with their music by playing something that is somewhere between Venom and Bathory in style.
   The same mix of heavy, speed, thrash and black metal is reflecting back from the music of Witchery who were formed in the late '90s. "Dont' Fear the Reaper" is their 4th full-lenght album in line. There are plenty of catchy songs and riffs to find on the album, that count as real heavy/speed metal gems, and thogether with the excellent sound, they are very effective. Blackened vocal style is narrating the lyrics, that could sound very nostalgic by their typical '80s touch. For some it might seem that the band was a bit hasty with making the album, cause some songs sound incomplete by leaving a feeling that something's missing.  That's partly because of the effectiveness of songs like "Stigmatized", "Draw Blood" or Damned in Hell", and als because the band probably wanted to band focuse more on thrash influences at other songs. Of course a more balanced mix would sound better, but "Don't Fear the Reaper" offers enjoyable entertainment for the fans of old school influenced metal.