ALBUM REVIEW: The Witch’s Grail – All Hell
Some bands are inspired by their favourite acts or a fusion of genres. Meanwhile, ALL HELL gather together their inspirations from a collection of varied influences creating near endless possibilities for their musical conquests since their inception in 2013. A three piece of monstrous proportions, North Carolina’s ALL HELL are intent on seeing heads roll with their latest offering The Witch’s Grail – the trio’s fourth full length album, and second via powerhouse label Prosthetic Records.
Following an unquestionably cheerless introduction, ALL HELL unfold their latest offering swiftly with a bombardment of ominous blackened fury. Sorcery And Sanctity draws together grim undertones and nefarious vocals akin to early SKELETONWITCH. It unleashes The Witch’s Grail with sheer grit and intensity invoking the darkest parts of our imagination before Tonight We Ride canters deeply into numbing black metal zest. Like a noxious ingredient causing an unholy cauldron to spit violently, Black Blood and Into the Trees blend the rawest of speed-infused thrash forming a deadly yet delightful musical concoction.
Like the stench of demonic hooves and unhallowed forces; the filthiest of riffs lines the composition of Where Devils Once Danced and is the go-to track for all the black metal cultists listening. ALL HELL have nailed the delivery of their unholy lyrical concepts by producing a consistently fluid and rapid fusion of components. From the rhythmically pleasurable aspects of punk to the speed and ferocity of thrash, peppered with the most malevolent traits of black metal it’s truly is a satisfying albeit sinister offering.
Fleurs De Mal penetrates you like the shrieking of Hell’s damned souls just in time for melody stricken Marble Embrace to summon benign spirits with hook-driven, canorous allure. It’s hard to imagine there’s not more than three members to ALL HELL as they showcase solid musicianship and emanate an aura of unified, unrelenting power. No wonder they create such memorable delights as The Witch’s Grail, it is a testament to their burgeoning capabilities. The Invisible World see’s ALL HELL ensure no stone is unturned in one final drawn out yet far from turgid closing track. Where SKELETONWITCH may have dipped gracefully into blacker undertones, ALL HELL have lived, breathed and bathed in the oozing discharge that seeps intrinsically through the best elements of black metal.
Unquestionably this is a superior musical incantation. There’s plenty to keep black metal fans entertained while leaving enough variety to invite almost any open-minded metalhead to take part in their ritual. ALL HELL take the ferocity of thrash, the rebelliousness of punk as well as a solid array of influences and dip them generously into a cauldron of bubbling, sinister blackness. A devoted homage to their name, The Witch’s Grail is a musical representation of the consistency, power and fury that flows manically from the fingertips of the members.
Rating: 8/10
The Witch’s Grail is out now via Prosthetic Records.
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