Witchsorrow – The Devil and All His Works (Review)

This is the fifth album from UK doom metallers Witchsorrow.

2015’s No Light, Only Fire was a great record, one that only got better over time. As such, The Devil and All His Works carries certain quality expectations. Across 48 minutes Witchsorrow continue on their traditional doom metal journey, and should delight any fan of the genre.

The Devil and All His Works is steeped in old-school doom metal tradition. It leans heavily on influences from the like of Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Electric Wizard, and Reverend Bizarre, yet also carries a personality of its own within this. Witchsorrow know doom, and everything about The Devil and All His Works is prime doom metal worship.

Witchsorrow’s classic sound is well-rendered, adhering closely to the doom metal templates laid down long ago, while still giving the listener reasons to listen. Those reasons revolve around songwriting, passionate authenticity, and compelling performances, making for a record that’s easy and enjoyable to listen to. Despite its ancient doom roots running deep, it also features some far more contemporary guests on two tracks, in the form of vocals from the singer of Noctule/Svalbard, and a solo from the guitarist of Employed to Serve.

The songs are well-crafted exemplars of the style, combining sinister atmospheres and occult hooks. The material spans the slow and crushing to the upbeat and energetic. The Devil and All His Works takes in a variety of doom incarnations, wallowing in doom dirges, charging with galloping metal thunder, and much else between. This allows for each song to have its own character. The album’s flow to takes the listener on a tour of doom delights that don’t restrict themselves to being just one thing. It’s all doom metal baby, but within this there’s plenty of room to manoeuvre.

One minor issue, as is almost always the case with any album – the pointless interlude. Here this manifests in Lamentation. Having said that, it’s not a complete waste of space.

It’s been eight years since their last record, but Witchsorrow’s newest is unlikely to disappoint their fans. The Devil and All His Works is an album made by true doom metal adherents, for true doom metal adherents. It’s a bloody good listen, so make sure you dive deep into the black abyss that it opens up before you.

Very highly recommended.