It’s been 7 long years since this German bands last output. It is hard to compare them to any other band than Mercyful Fate (more so the King Diamond solo material), primarily from the vocal falsetto style and some of the eerie darker riffs that come out of this band. I saw them live in Germany once, and their energy is as just as immense live and in the studio.

‘Darkest Rites’ treads the horror inspired path, I love the NWoBHM inspired gallop in the guitar riff, even with a touch of harmonising to add a touch more character doesn’t go down badly at all. Later on, the augmented chords add further to their blackened intentions.  ‘Azrael’ has a great galloping metal feel, the vocals are high as the usual comparison labelled against this band, with a lot of grunt in the lower sections. The chorus is wonderfully infectious and will be amazing at a live show. ‘Hailstorm and Tempest’ provide the classic Attic sound from the early releases, fast, aggressive and evil sounding, it’s not just the tone, the arrangement has a sinister edge. A similar fate bestows ‘The Baleful Baron’. This is classic horror inspired, immensely deep and sinister. The music itself behind the story is strong, varied and arranged to capture the message perfectly with complimentary lead breaks. Let’s not forget the solo of course, this rips your soul apart.

‘The Thief’s Candle’ is augmented, its evil, run away now those whom may be enraptured. This is slower, it creates more power thereafter. The lighter moments are actually so sinister, they have nailed the atmosphere and the harmonising is awesome. ‘Return of the Witchfinder’ provides screams and “Abigail” album esq. guitar gallops, when you get 3 minutes in the instrumental parts are dark and defining, I think we have the stance and theme of this album nailed by this point and especially my rambling concerning them. The horror lives and breathes!

This is an excellent return to form. Their last ritual was a bit leftfield from their earlier material. ‘Return of the Witchfinder’ is back on track with the band of old. There is a greater development of the bands song writing ability, they have captured a story more so, it’s more than a collective of dark mass of riffs and falsetto vocals with inspired story telling.

(8.5/10 Paul Maddison)

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