Epic Death

It’s one thing for metal to be split into a bewildering mass of sub genres but you’d have to be mad to try and unite them again wouldn’t you? You’d think the result would be much like trying to glue grandma’s porcelain tea pot back together after smashing it. It would be the same shape more or less but all the cracks would show. Incredibly that’s what Houston’s Epic Death have somehow done on their debut album Witchcraft and the result is something that still holds a good brew.

Of course taking all the best bits from the church of metal and assembling them in some kind of pleasing order does mean you get the odd cliché but that’s more than made up for with genuine horn throwing music that still has real originality to it too. While the music itself has a symphonic tinge to it there’s still some hammer blow crunch courtesy of the well defined rhythm section and unselfish guitar work. Best of all is Dennis Dorsett’s vocals which sound like he gargles with nails but you can still hear every word on every lyric. I can think of a few well known extreme metal frontmen who would do well to listen to Dorsett – and learn from his example.

While the band’s own music is excellent I have to admit the song that really brought a smile to my face was a cover of Alice Cooper’s Poison. This puts the epic in death and justifies its inclusion in the group moniker. To take a rock anthem and make it your own while staying sympathetic to the original shows real class. Epic Death pull it off with aplomb. On paper Witchcraft should sell by the bucket load, it does after all cover most of the bases. It deserves to do well too, it’s a fine album, epic in fact. Let’s hope sales do it justice. - Gary Trueman - Get Your Rock Out

Epic Death, a Texas based band, began their black/thrash/death metal venture in 2009. Collectively, their background on the music scene is distinguished with past affiliations such as Aggravated Assault, Chaos, Mischief, Majik, Balance, NeverDead, Dead Trip, and Phantom-X. To date, Epic Death has played with the well-known bands Nile, Finntroll, Mushroomhead, and Gemini Syndrome; to mention a few. The band also played Minnesota's annual NYDM Fest and at Houston's Scout Bar. Epic Death was also featured in two Derek Norman documentaries; “Heavy in Houston” & “Heavier in Houston.”

Band Members:

Dennis Dorsett (Vamp) - guitar/vocals

Reece Stanley - drums/backing vocals

Becky Dorsett (Demona) - keys/backing vocals

Nathan Chance - guitar

Justin Riddler - bass guitar/backing vocals


Epic Death’s full-length album “Witchcraft” is set for release on December 11th. The release was produced with Stephen Bogle under the label Bast Records. The video “Hide” was released on November 9th and already has almost 2,500 views on YouTube with several shares and positive comments. The album is available for preorder on their website. If ordered now, not only will you get the CD prior to the release date, you will also get the added bonus of your copy autographed by Epic Death.

Epic Death boldly, and masterfully, revamped “Poison.” Lyrically, the song removes the glam from the rock and replaces it with ED’s own black/death metal sound with some melodic shifts. However, the instrumental layers and sounds stay true to “Poison,” but with much heavier drums and riffs. This is a very well composed cover and a must hear to appreciate the talent and time Epic Death discharges into their music.

My personal favorite from “Witchcraft” is “Karma is a Bitch.” The instrumentals drew me in with the whimsical keyboarding, the thrash of heavy instrumentals that followed, and an outburst of angry vocals. I continued to listen, and to my surprise, I heard the smooth, deep lyrics “Karma is a bitch, she rides a black horse…” Although unexpected, it is a great example of the shifting lyrical talent of Epic Death. Personally, death/black metal is soothing. This song is extremely vengeful and yet so relaxing. As a female metal reviewer, what really set this song apart for me is what I feel is the influence of Becky. In my opinion, this song has a hint of female angst.

I found “Screams from Valhalla” to have the deepest and darkest meaning. The title alone grabbed my attention due to the selfish history of the underworld god Odin (from Norse Mythology). Valhalla was a blissful place of violence and feasts. Odin brought heroic warriors who had met their death to his heaven. The 800 warriors battled daily so they could be prepared to march out of the more than 500 doors at Valhalla at the same time on doomsday. Valhöll literally means “hall of the slain.” The battle march intro enmeshed in the instrumental composition alone articulates the story of Valhalla’s impending doom. Lyrics describing the screams from Valhalla add to the mythological hunger for power, destruction, and disaster. This is a song for the true black/death/heavy metal fan. To me, it portrays the intelligence of Epic Death. This track explores dark, Norse Mythology and is not common knowledge.

In summary, this album was very interesting to review. After many listens, I feel as if I got a glimpse into the revolution of freedom and individuality the band aspires to create. Dennis Dorsett of Epic Death stated, “It’s about the pain of an unhappy life filled with regret and the only thing you want to do is hide from the pain by finding a safe place by yourself, unfortunately, no matter where you hide time will find you.” This accurately describes the sound and feel of “Witchcraft.” I highly recommend this album to all fans of black/thrash/death metal. - April - Echo Asylum

There’s death metal, and then there’s TEXAS death metal – Epic Death

Epic Death WitchcraftOn their debut album, south Texas’ Epic Death seek to solidify their place in the national scene, and continue the metal style created by such legendary acts as Pantera and Rigor Mortis. Taking influences from such bands as Slayer, Dimmu Borgir and Nightwish, Epic Death’s devastating debut Witchcraft should vault them into the national metal scene. Led by frontman/guitarist Vamp, the Texas quintet are both brutal and symphonic at the same time. Album opener “Hide” is stellar, as are “Stay Away,” “Vendetta,” “Eye of the storm,” and the title track “Witchcraft.”

2016 should prove eventful for Epic Death because the rest of you get to hear what I’ve been listening to since I got Witchcraft. Tight, precise, thundering, symphonic Death Metal. Just the way this reviewer likes it. - Mike Kennedy - AntiHero Magazine

Friday, Texas-based black metal unit Epic Death will be releasing their first full-length album Witchcraft. Formed in 2010, Epic Death is guitarist/frontman Dennis Dorsett, drummer Reece Stanley, keyboardist Becky Dorsett, guitarist Nathan Chance and bassist Justin Riddler, all of whom have a wealth of experience in the Texas metal circles.

Witchcraft was produced with Stephen Bogle (The Hunger). The album features opening track and first single, "Hide", an emotional song inspired by Dorsett's complicated relationship with his father, who passed away when he was still a teenager. Poignant lyrics like "Years how they pass away, like a life from the crib to the grave. In just a flash we'll be swept far away," are tossed around in a storm of heavy instrumental shifts and deep growls. Throughout the album, epic melodies and riffs are mixed with the dark subject matter the black metal genre is known for.

Epic Death claims to "play the theme music to the revolution of true freedom and individuality" and certainly, after listening to their debut album, that does seem to be the case. Although they draw from the classic black metal arena, they find their own unique sound mixing in a bit of thrash, heavy metal, prog and rock along the way.

The band draws influence from some of their favorite metal bands including Slayer, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth and Behemoth but seem just at home exploring new territory in the extreme arena as is showcased in their heavy cover of Alice Cooper classic "Poison", which can be streamed here.

The album's title track "Witchcraft" also really stands out as a haunting track that slows thing down for a more prog feel before gaining momentum for an epic finish.

Epic Death has gained quite a bit of acclaim, sharing the stage with metal heavyweights from all points of the globe including Nile, Finntroll, Mushroomhead and Gemini Syndrome. They are also prominently featured in Derek Norman's 2012 documentary "Heavy In Houston", as well at the sequel "Heavier in Houston".

Be on the lookout for Epic Death in 2016. The band is set to crush and conquer over the next year with their own brand of colossal, uncompromising metal. - Tracy Heck - AXS

Having lived in Tampa Bay for 18 years, I admit that Houston, TX, isn’t the first place I think of when I think of heavy metal.

I do think that I may need to readdress that sentiment, after listening to the debut album, Witchcraft, from headbangers Epic Death.

Formed in 2010 by frontman and guitarist Dennis Dorsett (ex-Aggravated Assault, Chaos, Mischief, Majik, Balance, and NeverDead), and featuring keyboardist/vocalist Becky Dorsett; rhythm/lead guitarist Nathan Chance; bass guitarist Justin Riddler (ex-Dead Trip), and drummer Reece Stanley (also from Dallas’ Phantom-X), Epic Death has made a name for itself in the metal world with tenacity and a “have axes, will travel” attitude that won them fans far outside the Lone Star state.

Although the band has been toiling for years, drawing off the inspiration of bands like Slayer, Dimmu Borgir, Death, Cradle of Filth, and Behemoth, it is here on Witchcraft that they make their own music in their own name. Yes, I’ll admit they sound like a metal band. They are, after all, exactly that, and make no mistake of it. But—and this is the important part—you can tell this band has their own voice. While they may have all the soundscapes that define metal, there’s enough individuality here that the more you listen, the more you can make out that it’s Epic Death, and not, say, Behemoth.

The album opens with “Hide,” and this sets the tone for everything to come: namely, yes, we’re unhappy, but we’re gonna have fun with it. If you like hard driving beats and shredding guitars, you came to the right place. Standouts include tracks like “Vendetta,” “Dragon’s Blood,” “Screams From Valhalla,” and “Incantation of Epic Death,” which pretty much does everything a black metal track is supposed to do for you. And just to throw things a little loopy, there’s a nice cover of Alice Cooper’s “Poison” in there to show a little respect for a master.

While a lot of this album tends to run together in moods and currents, there is enough individuality of each track that nothing gets lost in the mix. That’s a good thing. You want continuity, but not at the expense of monotony.

While this isn’t a debut that’s going to change the world, it doesn’t need to be. What it is, ultimately, is a collection of love and labor from a band that you can tell really cares about what they sound like. And they do it in their own voice.

I’ll be honest, kids: if I were at a party, and this one came on the stereo, I’d be the guy crossing the room to find out who it was. (Yes, I like to go to those kind of parties, and yes, I’m that guy checking out the music when Shazam doesn’t come through for me.) - Don Waugh - Coma Music Magazine

This album sounds so much better than how the cover art looks, I swear! I saw the cover for “Witchcraft” and my immediate thought was that this was gonna be a terrible sounding band who has to really on a sexy-ish album cover, but the music backs up Epic Death in this instance and I’m extremely thankful for that. Blending together some death metal with some black metal and a little bit of thrash for good measure, Epic Death have created a very solid 10-track album that was a shocker for how good it was. Each song had it’s own strengths whether it be heavier guitars, a louder bass, a good rhythm through the drums, or a shift of vocal intensity, and overall it didn’t matter because Epic Death managed to fill each moment with a solid mix of metal that greatly satisfied my fix for . . . well . . . metal. It did it very well, I might add. Also, if you’re worried about these guys sticking to just one sound because a lot of bands do that then worry not because Epic Death constantly shifts things around where you never know what you’re going to get next after one song ends and the next begins. This is also the debut full length from Epic Death and I have to say that they nailed it 100% with it as many bands don’t do so well on their first full length, but these guys have proven themselves to be above the average by a large amount. “Witchcraft” is by any and all means a very well done piece that will show that this band is not here to mess around and they are here to make awesome metal, and they are only just beginning. - Vinterd - Metal Addicts

Many people in the mainstream probably view Black Metal musicians as giant Norwegians in corpse paint burning their half-eaten enemies alive in sacrifice to Satan. I want to clear up these misconceptions: There are no Norwegians in Epic Death.

In all seriousness, we need to lay the myths to rest. Just as in any other sub-genre, Black Metal includes certain core elements as well as a wealth of diversity within its community. If you choose to make assumptions about Epic Death as soon as you see the band in corpse paint, you are also choosing to deny yourself a fantastic Metal album.

Seconds into “Hide,” the album’s opening song, Stephen Bogle’s production quality should snag any listener immediately. This is a clean, crisp recording that easily rivals million dollar productions being released by major label bands. The instruments cut through the room like a series of spinning blades – with keyboards that are vital to the band’s sound, yet perfectly mixed to avoid losing any of the music’s heaviness.

Speaking of the band’s sound, I’ve been struggling to find the right words to define it. Maybe I shouldn’t try. Songs like “Hide” and “The Vendetta” lean toward Thrash Metal, dominated by precise riffs and machine gun drums. There also songs that contain more atmospheric and progressive elements, such as “Dragon’s Blood,” “Stay Away,” and “Incantation of Epic Death.” “Eye of the Storm” is an example of the combined speed and melody found in several tracks as well – almost like Power Metal if it were cultivated in the depths of Hell. In the end though, they all clearly feel like the cohesive whole that is Epic Death. The best way to understand this is to listen to the entire album from beginning to end and then do so again…and again…

There is also a surprise cover I dare not spoil here.

Epic Death’s songwriting sticks to the horror and spiritual themes one would expect from a Black Metal band for the most part. Where they stand apart, however, is in the execution. The band clearly understands and has a real respect for these topics, and it definitely shows in the final product. No gimmickry solely for the sake of their image is to be found here.

Witchcraft is simply an excellent Heavy Metal album no matter what your personal sub-genre preference may be – loaded with chainsaw riffs, tight drumming, catchy melodies, demonic vocals, and top-notch production values. You all must own it or be sacrificed! - Derek Norman - Lone Star Metal Magazine

Texas band Epic Death's first full-length album, Witchcraft, will be released this week, December 11th, and if you want to hear a brilliant cover of Alice Cooper's "Poison", you'll really want to hear this album. But... you'll also want to hear the rest of the album too, if you like heavy, metal, prog, rock and/or any combination of the heavier, darker side of rock.

I have to admit... I wanted to review it for the Poison cover alone, and ended up listening to the entire album, over and again.

Put it on your Christmas list! You've been good, right? Naughty? So what. That's even better. Go get yourself a copy. Click here to go to the band's store..

Complex metal, with growling vocals that are woven completely and compellingly into the fabric of the music. Intriguing, Zappa-esque time changes, thundering and driving drums, the band lives up to it's name, bringing epic melodies and riffs to and underscoring of death metal and classic rock.

Imagine a tribe of orcs stomping through a muddy, dark, vast and threatening cavern... and hilltop warriors preparing for battle. Add makeup and black nail polish, and then remember they come from Texas, so it's going to be much bigger and badder than you ever imagined... - Alison Toon - Toon's Tunes

Melodic death metal band Epic Death will release a new CD called Witchcraft on December 11, 2015. They are a mix of melodic death metal, black metal and thrash metal all rolled into one amazing package.

The band's eerie and haunting metal sound reminds me of England's, Cradle of Filth and Behemoth. They easily mix metal screaming with smoother lyrics which reminds me of Dani Filth's perfect performances in this genre.

The band hails from Texas and was formed in 2010 by guitarist and front man Dennis Dorsett. Other members of the band include keyboardist and vocalist Becky Dorsett, rhythm and lead guitarist Nathan Chance, Justin Riddler on bass and Reece Stanley plays drums.

The CD is a 10 track full length album. Epic Death surprises fans by doing their own rendition of the song "Poison" by Alice Cooper. This song reminds me a lot of Cradle of Filth's style and is very well done. The song showcases Dorsett's eerie vocals and style perfectly and is one of my favorite songs on the album. I especially like the smooth vocals on this song.

Songs that particularly stood out to me were "Dragons Blood", "Witchcraft", and "Karma's a Bitch." "Dragon's Blood" starts off with what sounds like the banging of a gong and has a very medieval sound. Chance's guitar playing goes from fast and furious to slow and melodic in parts of the song. It captured my interest right away with its unique sound. "Witchcraft" is fast and brutal and Dorsett chants the title of the song over and over. "Karma's a Bitch" starts off with haunting piano playing and later chanting by Dorsett that leaves the listener spellbound.

This is an excellent album for those who love melodic death metal. Epic Death delivers on everything this genre is known for and more. Check out the band's Facebook page for more information on the band and all of their tour dates. - Cheryl Frishman - AXS

Ces pauvres sorcières, pourchassées durant l'Inquisition n'en finiront donc pas d'influencer les groupes de tous bords de par le monde et le temps...Il faut dire que leur histoire, du Malleus Maleficarum à Salem est riche d'anecdotes cruelles et d'occultisme impénétrable...Cette fois ci, elles sont représentées par une charmante créature aux formes alléchantes, ornant la pochette d'un premier album aussi surprenant qu'efficace, dans un style croisé très atypique. Pas sur qu'au Texas elles soient l'emblème d'une quelconque forme de liberté individuelle, mais du côté de Houston, on leur voue un culte suffisamment éloquent pour leur consacrer une pochette d'album en tout cas.

De Houston, on attend plus la communication avec la navette, mais on prend les devants pour explorer l'espace. C'est dans cette perspective qu'un certain Dennis Dorsett a assemblé son projet aux alentours de 2010, après avoir participé à quelques aventures notables au sein de AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, CHAOS, MISCHIEF, ou NEVERDEAD. Une fois les complices parfaits trouvés (Becky Dorsett, clavier/chant, Nathan Chance, guitare, Justin Riddler, basse/chant, et Reece Stanley, batterie), le projet se met en branle et arpente les scènes locales en support de gros noms bien établis (NILE, FINNTROLL, MUSHROOMHEAD), travaille son répertoire pour accoucher aujourd'hui de son premier effort, tout logiquement intitulé Witchcraft.

Selon leur bio assez fournie, ils se réclament d'une musique "qui serait la bande son de la révolution d'une liberté individuelle concrète". Message reçu, un peu abscons au demeurant, mais il n'est pas difficile d'en assimiler les principes une fois la musique entendue. A ce niveau là, situer EPIC DEATH est relativement simple. Si leurs morceaux évoluent au gré d'humeurs, ils empruntent leur puissance au Black Metal, l'agrémentent d'une solide dose de Death technique, et augmentent la pression par quelques arrangements directement issus du Métal symphonique. Il n'est donc pas étonnant de les voir citer SLAYER, DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH ou DEATH à titre d'influences, puisque celles ci sont relativement évidentes dès la première écoute.

Le nom de DEATH lâché à la volée n'est pas innocent non plus, puisque certaines rythmiques au cordeau rappellent bien la précision si chère à feu Chuck, mais une fois tout ça assemblé, la vérité globale se dessine, et EPIC DEATH se veut plus qu'une somme de références superposées.

La rudesse du Death, la puissance du Thrash et la grandiloquence du Black symphonique n'empêchent pas le quintette de se souvenir de ses racines typiquement Heavy, même si celles si sont entrevues à travers le prisme de leur Crossover, et lorsqu'ils s'essaient à l'exercice de la reprise hors contexte, le "Poison" d'ALICE COOPER reçoit un traitement de choc. Même si la mélodie est bien là, il est parfois assez difficile de reconnaître la structure globale de ce hit tiré de Trash, et on pense à ce moment là aux figures de style d'ATROCITY, ou au retraitement de "Temple of Love" des SISTERS OF MERCY par CREMATORY. Mais voyons cela comme un petit plaisir coupable, qui s'intègre parfaitement à un LP très personnel qui ne rechigne pas à s'écarter de sa voie.

En signant des chansons courtes et concises, EPIC DEATH a mis tous les atouts de son côté. Il eut été facile de se perdre dans le dédale du Black à tendance symphonique, écueil brillamment évité par des compositions reposant toujours sur un riff fort et une thématique solide. Parfois, l'émotion pointe même le bout de son nez lorsque Dennis évoque sa jeunesse et la perte tragique de son père dans le morceau d'intro "Hide", qui ne ménage pourtant pas l'énergie ou la puissance. Le décalage entre la sincérité touchante du texte et la violence de la partie instrumentale est très choquant, mais des vers comme "Les années passent, du berceau à la tombe, en une fraction de seconde, nous disparaîtrons aussi" apportent une dimension très humaine à une musique foncièrement violente, mais toujours musicale et harmonique.

Un très gros travail a aussi été accompli au niveau des arrangements, et "Dragon's Blood" évoque à merveille une rencontre fortuite entre CRADLE et IMMORTAL, avec une touche gothique pesante en arrière plan, tirant partie des meilleurs côtés des deux exemples abordés. Un peu Viking parfois dans l'esprit, Witchcraft est loin du Black occulte que nous étions en droit d'attendre, et reste fidèle à une éthique juxtaposant la mélodie au chaos, sans jamais se renier. Impressionnant de bout en bout, il est assez difficile de croire que Witchcraft n'est qu'un premier album, tant sa maîtrise et son professionnalisme impressionnent. On sait que les musiciens ont du métier derrière eux, mais l'osmose générale entre chaque individualité est relativement bluffante quand même...

Mais comme ils l'affirment bien haut eux même, "Things are bigger in Texas", et ce premier LP en est une preuve indéniable. EPIC DEATH avance, la tête haute, et lâche quelques psaumes/bombes sur son passage, comme ce "Eye Of The Storm", qui cavale sur une rythmique échevelée, dispensant quelques riffs typiques de la NWOBHM, soutenus par un clavier arraché au Black des 90's.

Et lorsqu'on est capable de terminer son travail par un morceau aussi foncièrement Thrash/Black que "Incantation Of Epic Death", c'est qu'on connaît ses classiques par coeur, et qu'on est capable de les adapter à sa personnalité. Alors avec une armada de guitares qui résonnent dans tous les coins, avides d'harmonies et de riffs tranchants, un chant qui module pour en adopter les contours, un clavier qui sait s'affirmer sans déformer, et une rythmique aussi volubile que diserte, l'affaire est quasiment gagnée d'avance. Et même si les structures sont parfois assez complexes, le tout dégage une forte impression de sincérité, et se permet parfois quelques fantaisies de bon goût ("Karma's a Bitch" et son clavecin étrange), tout en restant abordable et concis.

EPIC DEATH ne se ferme aucune porte, et fait ses choix en restant libre. Ce premier LP est vraiment impressionnant de contrôle tout en restant instinctif, et place le quintette aux premiers rangs d'une nouvelle scène Black Texane qui décidemment ne fait rien comme tout le monde. Mais cet amalgame savoureux de courants extrême s'avale d'un trait, comme un alcool fort teinté de nuances douceâtres. Les sorcières peuvent être fières de leurs arrières-arrières petits enfants, qui pérennisent leur liberté de culte de façon respectueuse et intelligente.

Et inutile de porter les EPIC DEATH jusqu'au bûcher, leur musique les a ignifugés depuis longtemps.


English translation -
These poor witches persecuted during the Inquisition did not therefore ultimately to influence groups of all kinds around the world and time ... I must say that their history, the Malleus Maleficarum in Salem is rich with anecdotes cruel and impenetrable occult ... This time, they are represented by a charming creature shapes enticing, gracing the cover of his first album as surprising effective, in a crossover style very atypical. Not on that in Texas they are the emblem of some form of individual freedom, but on the side of Houston, they are dedicated enough to devote their worship eloquent album art anyway.

Houston, we expect more communication with the shuttle, but we take the lead in exploring space. It is in this perspective that a Dennis Dorsett assembled his project around 2010, after participating in some notable adventures in aggravated ASSAULT, CHAOS, MISCHIEF or Neverdead. Once found a perfect way (Becky Dorsett keyboard / vocals, Nathan Chance, guitar, Justin Riddler, bass / vocals, and Reece Stanley, battery), the project gets under way and walks the local scenes in wholesale carrier established names (NILE, FINNTROLL, MUSHROOMHEAD) works his repertoire to give birth today to her first effort, logically entitled Witchcraft .

According to their bio fairly extensive, they claim a music " that would be the soundtrack to the revolution of a concrete individual freedom ." Message received, somewhat abstruse moreover, it is not difficult to assimilate their principles once the music heard. At this level, locate EPIC DEATH is relatively simple. If their songs change with the moods, they use their power to Black Metal, decorate it with a solid dose of technical Death, and increase the pressure by some directly from the symphonic metal arrangements. It is therefore not surprising to see include SLAYER, DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH or DEATH as influences, since these are relatively obvious from the first listen.

The name of DEATH dropped on the fly is not innocent either, since some rhythm by line well recall the precision so dear to fire Chuck, but once it all assembled, the overall truth emerges, and EPIC DEATH wants more a sum of superimposed references.

The harshness of Death, Thrash and the power of symphonic bombast of Black do not prevent the quintet to remember its roots Heavy typically, although if those interviews are through the prism of their Crossover, and when s' trying to exercise recovery out of context, the "Poison" by Alice Cooper gets a shock treatment. Although the melody is there, it is sometimes quite difficult to recognize the overall structure of the hit taken from Trash , and we think that time the figures of style ATROCITY, reprocessing or "Temple of Love" of SISTERS oF MERCY by CREMATORY. But see it as a guilty pleasure, that fits perfectly on a very personal LP who does not mind deviate from its path.

By signing short, concise songs, EPIC DEATH put everything on his side. It would have been easy to get lost in the maze of Black symphonic trend brilliantly saved by rock compositions always based on strong riffs and a solid theme. Sometimes the emotion tip even the tip of his nose when Dennis recalls his youth and the tragic loss of his father in the song intro "Hide", which however not household energy or power. The gap between the touching sincerity of the text and the violence of the instrumental part is very shocking, but lines like " The years pass, from the cradle to the grave, in a split second, we will disappear as " bring a very human dimension fundamentally violent music, but always musical and harmonic.

A lot of work has also been done in the arrangements, and "Dragon's Blood" wonderfully evokes a chance meeting between CRADLE and IMMORTAL, with a gothic touch heavy in the background, pulling one of the best sides of the two examples discussed. Sometimes a little Viking in mind, Witchcraft is far from the Black occult we were entitled to expect, and remains true to ethical juxtaposing melody chaos, never deny. Impressive from start to finish, it is quite hard to believe that Witchcraft is a first album, as his mastery and professionalism impress. We know that the musicians of the trade behind them, but the general harmony between each individuality is relatively bluffing anyway ...

But as they say aloud themselves, " Things are bigger in Texas " and the first LP is undeniable proof. EPIC DEATH forward, head held high, and loose some psalms / bomb in its path, as "Eye Of The Storm", that the run on a frantic rhythm, providing some typical riffs of the NWOBHM, supported by a torn keyboard to Black 90's.

And when one is able to complete its work by a piece also fundamentally Thrash / Black that "Incantation Of Epic Death" is that knows his classics by heart, and we are able to adapt to his personality . So with an armada of guitars that resonate in every corner, eager to harmonies and sharp riffs, a song that module to adopt the contours, a keyboard that knows assertive without deforming, and a rhythm as voluble as eloquent, the case is almost won. And even if the structures are sometimes quite complex, all exudes an impression of sincerity, and sometimes allows some tasteful fantasies ( "Karma's a Bitch" and his strange harpsichord), while remaining affordable and concise.

DEATH EPIC does not close any doors, and made his choice remaining free. This first LP is really impressive control while remaining instinctive, and places the quintet to the forefront of a new scene Black Texan who decidedly does nothing like everybody. But this tasty amalgam of extreme currents swallow a trait, as a strong sweetish alcohol tinted shades. witches can be proud of their great-great grandchildren, who perpetuate their freedom of worship respectfully and intelligently.

And needless to wear EPIC DEATH to the stake, their music has long been fireproofed. - Metal Oddities (French)