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Witchking: Witchking
Heavy/Power Metal
Rating: 4.0/5.0

www.witchking.pl
Aural Offerings Records (France)
www.myspace.com/witchkingband

Here is another band from Poland, Witchking, named after the Witchking of Angmar from Tolkein legend and the song of the same name on their first full length release (on France's small label Aural Offerings Records, best known for their black and death metal artists). Yet Witchking is hardly in this category; this is definitely heavy metal with strong power measures and subtle progressive stylings. This seminal work is loosely based on J.R.R. Tolkein's Lord Of The Rings trilogy. The music is aggressive and bombastic.

I was impressed by three components of Witchking's new release: the strong vocals of Tomek 'Tom The Storm' Twardowski: he has the lungs to deliver great metal vocals; secondly, the strong songwriting and arrangements: there's some true, though young, talent here; and finally, the shear power and enthusiasm that Witchking delivers in each song. Surely, one of the negatives is the routine, nearly sloppy, production, but it is rugged and adequate for heavy metal. As for the songs, the title track is a true gem. Also listen for 'Betrayer' and 'Under Siege,' Twardowski really wails on the latter. Also consider 'When The Bearer Goes,' the arrangement may suprise you with is subtly and melody. Mateusz "Gajdek" Gajdzik and Tomek "Hadro" Pater are no slouches on guitar either. They are hardly seasoned shredders, but the can whip up some good and inspiring solos.

Witchking impresses with a singular reason: shear enthusiasm and determination in their musicianship and songwriting. Their metal is raw, rowdy and yet inspired all at the same time. Fans of (very) heavy metal will love this first work by Witchking. Hold on because I think their best is yet to come. Recommended!
  - Craig Hartranft


In Short

Witchking is a Polish metal band that invokes inspiration from Tolkein to create aggressive heavy metal. The music is intense and hardly slows down from one song to the next. If you like your metal energetic and biting, and sometimes complex, you will love Witchking.

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