Witchery
Witchery is a Swedish blackened thrash metal band formed by former members of Satanic Slaughter in 1997. The current lineup consists of guitarists Patrik Jensen and Rickard "Rille" Rimfält, bassist Sharlee D'Angelo, vocalist Angus Norder, a ...
's third full-length studio album after ''Restless & Dead'' in 1998 and ''Dead, Hot And Ready'' in 1999. It was released in 2001 and has received underground acclaim from metal fanzines and webzines. The album continues in Witchery's previous style, with
thrash metal
Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...
riffing and solos, but with a black and death metal influence. This album has Martin Axe of
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal/rock band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by lead vocalist David Isberg. The group has been through several personnel changes, including the replacement of every original member; notably Isberg in 1992. Mikael ...
on drums, after the departure of Mique. The 2001 Japan version, and 2007 reissues use alternate cover art.
Musical influences
Since most of the music and lyrics on the album are written by Jensen, much of the album is similar in sound to his main band,
The Haunted
Haunted or The Haunted may refer to:
Books
* ''Haunted'' (Armstrong novel), by Kelley Armstrong, 2005
* ''Haunted'' (Cabot novel), by Meg Cabot, 2004
* ''Haunted'' (Palahniuk novel), by Chuck Palahniuk, 2005
* ''Haunted'' (Angel novel), a 200 ...
. This involves fast paced thrash riffing with melodic solos in most of the songs, though there is very little evidence of the Gothenburg sound in ''Symphony For The Devil'' unlike The Haunted. Jensen (guitar), Toxine (vocals) and Axe (drums) all previously played in
Satanic Slaughter
Satanic Slaughter was a Swedish black metal band.
History
Having previously performed under the name Evil Cunt, the group first adopted the name Satanic Slaughter in 1985.Seance. Only Sharlee D'Angelo, bass guitarist with
Arch Enemy
Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, originally a supergroup from Halmstad, formed in 1995. Its members were in bands such as Carcass, Armageddon, Carnage, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, The Agonist, Nevermore, and Eucharist. ...
, had no previous experience with the other band members. "Witchery (Swe)" ''Encyclopaedia Metallum''
Given each musician's other projects, the tight and attacking sound of ''Symphony For The Devil'' is unsurprising. The lyrics include topics such as black magic, death and the occult, similar to the themes in Witchery's first three albums and also those of Satanic Slaughter and Seance.
Track listing
All music and lyrics written by Jensen unless otherwise stated.
# "The Storm" - 3:34
# "Unholy Wars" - 3:12 (music by Jensen/Corpse)
# "Inquisition" - 3:57
# "Omens" - 4:30
# "Bone Mill" - 2:41
# "None Buried Deeper..." - 3:58
# "Wicked" - 2:59
# "Called for by Death" - 4:58
# "Hearse of the Pharoahs" - 5:07
# "Shallow Grave" - 4:24 (music by Jensen/Corpse)
# "Enshrined" * - 4:15 (music by Jensen/Corpse, lyrics by D'Angelo/Toxine)
# "The One Within" * - 3:14 (music by Jensen/Toxine, lyrics by D'Angelo/Toxine)
Tracks marked with a * do not appear on all versions
The Japanese edition (TFCK-87249) contains the same tracks but "Enshrined" is track 6, "None Buried Deeper..." is track 7, "Wicked" is track 8, "Called For By Death" is track 9, "The One Within" is track 10, "Hearse Of The Pharoahs" is track 11 and "Shallow Grave" is track 12.
Personnel
* Toxine - vocals
* Jensen - rhythm guitar (written as "riffguitar" in the album notes)
* Richard Corpse - lead guitar (written as "sologuitar")
* Sharlee D'Angelo - bass guitar (written as "Bassguitar")
* Martin Axe - drums