Electric Wizard, the British doom metal stalwarts, unleashed their eighth studio album, "Witchcult Today," on November 12, 2007, via Rise Above Records. Clocking in at a hefty 59 minutes, this sonic odyssey is a dense, intoxicating blend of stoner, sludge, and drone metal, showcasing the band's signature slow, heavy, and hypnotic sound.
The album opens with the title track, "Witchcult Today," setting the tone with its crushing riffs and eerie atmosphere. "Dunwich" and "Satanic Rites Of Drugula" continue the descent into darkness, with their slow, doom-laden grooves and occult imagery. "Raptus" and "The Chosen Few" offer a slight respite, with more melodic and psychedelic elements, while "Torquemada 71" and "Black Magic Rituals & Perversions" return to the band's heavier, more crushing sound.
"Saturnine," the album's closer, is a sprawling, 13-minute epic that showcases Electric Wizard's ability to create immersive, otherworldly soundscapes. Throughout "Witchcult Today," the band's influences—ranging from Black Sabbath to early doom and sludge metal—are evident, but Electric Wizard's unique sound and vision set them apart.
With its heavy, hypnotic sound and occult imagery, "Witchcult Today" is a must-listen for fans of doom, sludge, and stoner metal. Electric Wizard's ability to create immersive, otherworldly soundscapes makes this album a standout in their discography and a testament to their enduring influence on the metal genre.
