PANZERCHRIST : "Maleficium Part 2 "

The second part of the Danish band's "Maleficium" double album is even angrier. Lyrically, it continues to look at the history of witches. Sonically, it carries an attack that is not unlike what Marduk does. The opening track hits you full blast ahead, but everything works in this case, though I would not want to hear an entire album of that. The vocals have purpose, which certainly helps their case for going to such extremes. The drummer does not want to let up on the second song either. It does rage with a similar rapid-fire feral nature. 

"Harm Bidder" dials up the black metal undertones while not tempering much of the hyper aggression that powered the first song. They flirt with a melodic chord progression that is also dripping with an odd dissonance. The balance of death metal and black metal is done not unlike how Goatwhore blends the two genres; they have the aid of melodic guitar lines here and there, as the vocals keep the intense scowl going.  "Hex Maleficuum Pex" feels more like an incantation to invoke the end of the world, the black metal tension running in its veins. The lyrical narrative uses a creepier groove that progresses into solidifying the mood.  The vocal chant of 'the only good witch is a dead witch " is effective. 

After a minute of dramatic ambiance, they bust into "Suffer My Fury". They do add some melodic elements towards the end. "On Walpurgis Night" is more deliberate, with a more Morbid Angel-like double bass propelling the song. The story begins to unfold more in this song, not in as vivid a manner as the lyrical pictures King Diamond paints, but more so than what you expect from death metal. 

"Black Mirror" adds a few more sonic colors. This is what this album needs more of. Dynamically, this makes it one of the album's strongest songs. The last song carries a thrashing attack with the guitars driving it, as the vocals remain consistent. Their drummer anchors things by letting up on the double bass to provide more breathing room in places. I will give this album an 8.5 as it is a visceral listen that hooks you in with vocal incantations that serve as the narrative here. 

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