Witchprayer - Devil Worship Prayers [EP] (2015)

Famous bands are familiar to everyone. And I am not talking about those, that are super-hellishly popular and sell tons of clothes for their beloved fans. Not to mention, just how much their work dulls the core of sincerity and character. I am talking about the level which begins after the nether and wild underground, where each band has at least one page on Facebook, and who constantly and persistently offer to buy their not so interesting and completely maladroit records. And far from monitors of computers, either in a dark leeward forest, or in an old basement of a two-story "national construction", and in abandoned boondocks or a wooden dump on an old passing, always can be found those, who keep in themselves secret and unshaken verity, among which is the purpose of the dark way, sweet and eternal Death, and Black Metal - exactly in the way it is supposed to be, exactly what it is supposed to contain, and most importantly - exactly how it is supposed to be, as a whole. In the internet, it is only music; in reality - harsh truth, for which just a few can strive and receive worthy answers.

Saying this, I kind of imagine Moscow's chthonic duo of Witchprayer, even though I haven't seen them and don't exactly know, if I am talking about them - and these are just shadows that lurk near the flames of campfire. However, from all the places, we can find these gentlemen in one particular place, where concepts of secret verities and splendid death are beyond eternity efficient and strong, and where one will desire to absorb them without leaving any remnants. The band is maintained by two individuals - M.Deathbringer (on guitars and bass) and 11th Spirit (vocals and guitars). They write the material and lyrics, blending guitar, bass, vocal and drum parts with black proclamations of burning with fire catacombs. Truly, this duo is so cohesive and ruthless, that they don't need a third member at all; although they pick a new percussionist for each of their seldom EP records. On «From a Human Blood to Eternal Sea» it was Morning Star, (ex-Heresiarch Seminary), and on the new EP (which we are going over today) - «Devil Worship Prayers» - it was Saturionus. Not long ago, they were joined by a third member, Kenosis, who undertook the bass; however the original duo are still the authors of the music. Let's see what these two will open up with their EP...

The first record from the album is called «Necrognosis», and from the first notes, one can feel how in the broad daylight open up the gates of death, and pull the listener within. A concise and leading rhythm, clearly audible bass, artillery drums and, slicing straight and across - solo guitar. Although the record itself is scant on riffs, they are blended roughly and flexibly to such extent, that you literally finds yourself in a rotten crypt, from which you can easily slip into the reign of death. The ending explodes hearts with a dull, furious riff of Inquisition, which has no equivalents. «Inner Light» from the very beginning appears far from canonical and chaotic riffs, and the record itself is quite filled with sophisticated and pensive thoughts; reflections over one's own philosophy and ideology; and finally ends on an altogether sad note. «Mater Noster» rises from a slow, but filled with fury and amusement riff, then falls into a sudden agony and unravels a necrotic massacre, which in the execution of all described above, puts everyone on their knees, quietly calling or screaming curses at those, who are not in the midst of the procession. All parts are played accurately, despite partial disagreements of the solo and rhythm, and also percussions which either slowly dissolve or burn through with fast blasts. The last record for today: composition «Black Fucking Magic Ritual». Even though ideas from the first piece aren't found in this one, here the beauty of death itself is portrayed - as black cultists in complete submission carry toward some dark figure . Screaming in ante-mortem state, the figure tears itself apart, leaving behind mere bloody pieces. And maybe, some kind of sense. The record is slow, fubsy, uttering its unhasting parts. I must admit that everything is made with distorted beauty, demonstrating to its listeners those things, which we are unable to see individually. And the track slowly rolls away, dissolving in nihility.

Now lets talk about the core, starting with the instruments. Rhythm and solo are built in such a way, that if one is shut off, I wouldn't feel the difference - rhythm would continue on with an even pulse, or the solo would continue chaotically sawing the universe. One is not messing up the other - and both don't require one another, but if they are presented together, one simply cannot get accustomed to the music of Witchprayer from the first time. Everything else is intact, even though there are just a few meaty and bloodcurdling tracks in the album. I want to assure you, that the band's particularly exorbitant and barely understandable principles make their Black Metal occult and diversified, unlike the merciless massacre of a Black/Death orgy. The sound quality is also acceptable and compliments the band, but it is too smeared and quiet, so at a high volume there are some faults und inaccuracies. I am not an expert on recording music, but it wouldn't hurt to correct these records for the next time in Primordial studio. I didn't get to witness such joy, and all that was entitled was a tiny device, a small computer and a mob of neighbors, which called the cops on any irrelevant reason.

And since the ideological content of the work is really on a high level, the quality should be on a congenial level. The lyrics represent black hymns, and their core meaning is hard to comprehend, especially if your nerves are strung-up anyways and thus prevent you from doing this easily. Briefly speaking, the duo is reaching for chthonic powers, calling to far departed spirits, gathering the heirs and are ready to literally kill everyone who may get in their way. Sometimes the singer can't be clearly heard, but he doesn't doubt the righteousness of the band's, and his own chosen fate. Apart from the overwhelming darkness of the committed acts, the booklet contains a graphic picture on its main artwork. Seemingly, three members of the band decided to portray themselves through the act of brain consumption, slicing ligaments and delivering total and summoning emptiness. However, after thorough examination, it turns out that there is only one member, and all of those who stand above are merely a genderless figure and a deceased witch. The last one, to add to the topic of suicide, doesn't refrain from the bloody submersions of her slave. Pages of the booklet are demonic engravings and, in a sharp convex appearance, crystal clearly portrayed ideas, distillation of which correlates with a quite eloquent image that I had seen and that others will surely find to be in their taste. Apart from records, the rest is filled with impassable darkness, in which nothing can be seen, not even the icon of the label.

The ritual is done, the sacrifice is made. The band was hibernating for 1.5 years, to reconsider and strengthen its originally powerful views. A full version will be vengeance, which is soon to be expected. I am thankful to the band for their work and wish to lead everyone to the long-desired finale - ultimate and conclusive.