NECRONOMICON

I have periodically wondered what happened to Quebec's NECRONOMICON. It has been somewhere around seven years since I reviewed "The Sacred Medicines", a great album of vintage MORBID ANGEL-ish death metal that came with guitarist/vocalist Rob The Witch's uniquely occult touch. I'd always the thought the long-running act never got the level of recognition deserved either. Lo and behold, NECROMICON has resurfaced stronger than ever with "The Return of the Witch" on a new label in Napalm Records that may finally get NECRONOMICON that deserved level of international recognition.

With production values that finally do the NECRONOMICON sound justice, complete with instrument clarity and low end fullness, and a fully realized potential in the songwriting department, "The Return of the Witch" hits the target straight on. Anchored in a traditional, song-based death metal approach made just modern enough for present day standards, yet without sapping the old school spirit, the disc is fresh and familiar at once. It succeeds as well as for its individual track selections as it does as a holistic listening experience. Songs like "The Time is Now" and the title track impact with classic DM fury, but most cuts also come with measured use of accent and pointed tempo shifts. The up-tempo and thrashy break during "Into the Fire" commands attention, continuing in various forms for the remaining minutes and spine tingles with choral effects. A variation of a more operatic variety spices up "The Awakening", a song that also benefits from one of several of the album's gripping guitar solo moments, in this case supported with only au naturel bass/drum accompaniment. Moving through the disc you'll hears sections of gothic churn and chilling keyboards segments ("Necropolis"),epic composition ("The Order of the Moon") and creepy interlude ("Lilith"). All of it comes with Rob's mighty MORBID ANGEL-meets-THORNAFIRE roar.

"The Return of the Witch" just feels right. It is traditional death metal with compositional twisting that enhances, rather than detracts, from the all encompassing power of the music. Welcome back, Rob!