Annihilational Intercention
Reviewed By: Jim Harrison
Score: 9.5
Floridian thrash pioneers Hellwitch will release their new album Annihilational Intercention June 30, 2023 (physical release) on Listenable Records. They started back in 1984 hailing from Gainesville, Florida and have pushed the boundaries of blackened thrash metal to the extreme. Founding vocalist/guitarist and frontman Pat Ranieri leads the charge with a voice full of character that gives Hellwitch their distinctive sound. Coupled with guitarist J.P Brown and drummer Brian Wilson whose talents really showcase how musically talented this band is plus the album artwork is awesome.
I have to start off with the last track on this album as I have a cool connection to it from my early youth. ‘Torture Chamber’, from Transgressive Sentience demo in 1986 ended up on a thrash compilation called Thrash Metal Attack in 1987. I had a friend who used to vacation every summer for a couple of weeks in Florida who brought this back and I copied it. This was our favourite track on this compilation and it reminded us of early Metallica, every time I hear this song it brings me back to my high school days. This album breaks an early thrash metal sound, bringing it forward and making it totally relevant.
The album starts with a killer track ‘Solipsistic Immortality’ that could easily fit on any Slayer album. This is a heavy track that starts the album off with a bang! ‘Delegated Disruption’ begins with a fantastic drum beat then the guitars rip in, Pats vocals are awesome producing a classic thrash sound. Track three ‘Megalopalypytic Confine’ sounds like we were heading into a Deep Purple beat then it changes direction, fast and furious.
Next is a short instrumental when we slide into the track ‘Hellwitch’, my favourite track on the album. This is thrash, old school thrash. Whoever said metal is dead in 2023 needs to listen to this song it gives me goosebumps, it’s that good. ‘Epochal Cessation’ follows another classic thrash recipe leading into what I thought was a slower track ‘Anthorpophagie’, the longest song on the album. When this song hits the two minute mark it takes off. This is more of a blackened thrash song that sounds like it has a bit of an Overkill influence adding their own stamp on it. The next song ‘At Rest’, continues the assault. I would love to see this track live. The energy from this track would fill a venue with absolute mayhem. There will be a cover of Sweet Home Alabama on the vinyl version release only, that I can’t wait to hear.
The cover art is fantastic and was created by Khaos Dictator Design and captures the essence of this album.
What I love about Hellwitch is the honesty of their craft and they stay true to their roots. For any metal fans looking for a killer album that takes no prisoners check this out. I highly recommend this album.