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Band: Witchthroat Serpent
Album title: Swallow The Venom
Release date: 23 November 2018
Label: Svart Records
Tracklist:
01. Feu Sacré
02. Lucifer's Fire
03. Pauper's Grave
04. The Might Of The Unfailing Source
05. Scorpent Serpion
06. Hunt For The Mountebank
07. Red Eyed Albino
08. No More Giant Octopuses
The French doomsters Witchtroat Serpent who are deeply rooted in unnatural doom psychedelia and the black arts for some time now, are back with a new offering. Witchthroat Serpent's third album opens with the intro track "Feu Sacré", a minute and a half of unneeded tribal music that doesn't work as a stand alone track or a mood setter for the rest of the record. The album doesn't really start until track two, the mesmerizing "Lucifer's Fire". Easily one of the best songs the band has release and the best of this album, "Lucifer's Fire" is built around an enjoyable riff with great groove and pacing.
After this, the album doesn't let up as it creeps through the standard stoned, heavy doom sound that's been popularized by acts likes of Electric Wizard. "Red Eyed Albino" plays through at a wonderful snails pace and it's safe to say that more than a few people will be dancing with Marry Jane when they listen to "Pauper's Grave" and the hypnotic album closer "No More Giant Octopuses".
The only real problem with this album is that, while no song is bad - excluding the intro, if you consider it a song - I don't feel overly impressed. Tracks like "The Might Of The Unfailing Source" and "Hunt For The Mountebank" are solid, sludgy tracks that any band would be happy to have in their catalogue, but it's nothing groundbreaking. Nothing sets it apart from what you might hear off of any Sleep or Candlemass record. Granted, that's great company to be in and it's a compliment to be compared to such legends. Perhaps I'm nitpicking (as I tend to do) but I just can't find enough to make these cuts stand out from most of the stoner/sludge/doom band's out there already.
Swallow The Venom is overall a well put together record. I know my previous paragraph makes it sound as though I'm let down but I'm not. Not enough to dislike the record anyway. Though I feel it lacks a little originality, it doesn't change the fact that these are cumbersome, powerful, dark jams that are guaranteed to please doom fans and grow Witchthroat Serpent's legion.
Review written by: Will Ring
Rating: 7,5/10
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