Witchaven & Maze of Terror
Death For Our Rivals
Ragnarök Records
A first band on the split is Witchaven from the LA/US. They started out in 2006 and already have released a lot of demos, EP`s and few full length albums for metal world. First thing that is characteristic to songs from this band is that every track differs from each other completely. I did not have impression that I listen to similar songs anytime they played new tunes as album was going on. The sound of Witchaven is kind obscure, but also witchy, chaotic and archaic while the music quality is still there, and their songs carry the spirit of old metal. Most of the tracks are thrash metal (early Necronomicon (Ger), Angelkill) but have old spirit of heavy metal and band like Mercyful Fate. The beginning of Trance-Formation sounds very black metal which showcase how wisely the band is able to use their old school metal inspirations for writing music. All songs here merge aggressive riffs and vocals with superb guitar solos that sometimes go melodic while there is even something occult in essence of their music and lyrics as well.
The other band from the split is Peruvian band Maze Of Terror. They have totally different approach to the music than Witchaven, beside the fact that both bands sound very old school.
South Americans spread more music terror and their songs are usually very fast and brutal but they always stick to thrash metal when comes to song writing, even if some drums sound almost like death metal blast beats. For me, their number one track is Executio Bestialis which musically is around Dark Angel and their Leave Scars album. This track is just intense and sick, and has some rumbling and fast drums that they harmonize with aggressive shredding on guitars.
The band reaches the limits of their own speed in song Rivals which is very ferocious track with ripping guitar solos and mad vocals.
I think that The Hunger is also a solid, old school thrash metal track which kind of reminds me of Merciless Death (PL), old Kreator and of course, all that 80`s era that for many people was the best time in metal...I disagree with those opinions that say thrash metal ends there, because Death For Our Rivals is the album which proofs that 80`s thrash can be sort of, successfully reinvented over and over again. And with just slight differences to the production in music of both bands... Maze Of Terror is storming their riffs, insanely on this release, while Witchaven has sometimes wicked music ideas. I`m glad that both bands do not play the same music at all.
I highly recommend this split album for old school thrashers and metal freaks who believe in metal motto - THRASH TILL DEATH.
Tracklist:
1 Witchaven-Power And Control
2 Witchaven-Manhunter
3 Witchaven-Blood Sacrifice
4 Witchaven-Trance-Formation
5 Witchaven-A.D.D.
6 Maze Of Terror-The Hunger
7 Maze Of Terror-Executio Bestialis
8 Maze Of Terror-Rivals
9 Maze Of Terror-Gilles De Rais
The other band from the split is Peruvian band Maze Of Terror. They have totally different approach to the music than Witchaven, beside the fact that both bands sound very old school.
South Americans spread more music terror and their songs are usually very fast and brutal but they always stick to thrash metal when comes to song writing, even if some drums sound almost like death metal blast beats. For me, their number one track is Executio Bestialis which musically is around Dark Angel and their Leave Scars album. This track is just intense and sick, and has some rumbling and fast drums that they harmonize with aggressive shredding on guitars.
The band reaches the limits of their own speed in song Rivals which is very ferocious track with ripping guitar solos and mad vocals.
I think that The Hunger is also a solid, old school thrash metal track which kind of reminds me of Merciless Death (PL), old Kreator and of course, all that 80`s era that for many people was the best time in metal...I disagree with those opinions that say thrash metal ends there, because Death For Our Rivals is the album which proofs that 80`s thrash can be sort of, successfully reinvented over and over again. And with just slight differences to the production in music of both bands... Maze Of Terror is storming their riffs, insanely on this release, while Witchaven has sometimes wicked music ideas. I`m glad that both bands do not play the same music at all.
I highly recommend this split album for old school thrashers and metal freaks who believe in metal motto - THRASH TILL DEATH.
Tracklist:
1 Witchaven-Power And Control
2 Witchaven-Manhunter
3 Witchaven-Blood Sacrifice
4 Witchaven-Trance-Formation
5 Witchaven-A.D.D.
6 Maze Of Terror-The Hunger
7 Maze Of Terror-Executio Bestialis
8 Maze Of Terror-Rivals
9 Maze Of Terror-Gilles De Rais
Review by Slawek Migacz
Added: 27.06.2019
Added: 27.06.2019
