Witch Ripper
Through The Hourglass
Magnetic Eye Records
Hailing from an environment best known for grunge and alt-rock, Seattle quartet Witch Ripper actually deal a nice line in stoner and sludge metal. They’ve been ploughing their own furrow since 2012, and have a fluid sound that draws favourable comparisons with Mastodon and Baroness. What Witch Ripper share with those bands is a love of the grandiose, and that’s something their third full-length has in abundance. Like Atlas with the weight of the world on his shoulders, Through The Hourglass is an album that sits heavily upon the listener and bears down with unstoppable force. With only the brief intro clocking in under six minutes, Witch Ripper create epic soundscapes that are full of skull crushing riffs, detonating drums and acidic, caustic vocals. Lyrically this album continues the sci-fi story began on their previous album, and it’s a concept that’s in perfect sync with the music, the two combining to create a three-dimensional experience that will fill your mind’s eye with strong images. As the band depart with final track ‘Spiral Eye’ they leave an indelible mark on the listener, and if you don’t believe me, take a peek Through The Looking Glass.
https://www.facebook.com/Witchripper
Review by Peter Dennis.