Metal Reviews

Witch-Hunt - Darkened Anthology 1992-2002 - Album Review - Vintage Death Metal from Virginia, USA

Today, we delve into the world of vintage death metal with Witch-Hunt, an exceptional band hailing from Virginia, USA. Their resurrected and remastered full-length "best of" album, Darkened Anthology 1992-2002, takes us on a thrilling journey through their influential career.

Witch-Hunt, Fragments (1996) (Official Audio)

Witch-Hunt, a band we recently discovered, had come close to reaching the top echelons of their career in the '90s. These Virginia-based musicians encountered numerous obstacles and eventually had to take a hiatus from active music-making. However, about a year ago, Lost Apparitions Records released the impressive Darkened Anthology 1992-2002, a compilation album featuring the band's greatest pieces.

Let me begin by expressing my immense respect for any band that recorded and released music during that era. We are well aware of the challenges artists faced during those times. This thought resonated with me as I listened to Darkened Anthology 1992-2002. The more I immersed myself in the album, the clearer it became why we all fell in love with this incredible music in the first place. Even to this day, it continues to make a significant impact, especially on me. The album evoked memories of the early works of legendary bands like Megadeth, Slayer, Sepultura, and Metallica. How marvelous is that? These bands, including Witch-Hunt, deserve recognition for their simultaneous activity and releases alongside these game-changers. In my opinion, it's a remarkable achievement worth sharing with future generations.

Darkened Anthology 1992-2002 resurfaced many great feelings within me. It reminded me of the genuine love I hold for this genre. The album stands apart from the contemporary music landscape. There are no gimmicks, no computer-generated perfection—just raw, dynamic, and sincere artistry. This authenticity is what resonates with us, whether it's in music, relationships, or everyday life. Listening to Darkened Anthology felt akin to experiencing Seasons in the Abyss or Master of Puppets for the first time. It was a truly incredible journey.

*Witch-Hunt, band photo. Credit: Unknown*

On the other hand, to fully understand and connect emotionally with this album, one must have experienced those extraordinary times. I cannot claim to have been fully aware of everything related to metal back then. However, over time, I have listened to enough to appreciate and distinguish between good and bad. Darkened Anthology, my friends, is one of the most powerful experiences I've had in recent memory. It transported me back to my childhood, acting as a time machine fueled by music. I vividly recall moments of solitude or melancholy, finding solace by listening to my original Ride the Lightning disc, purchased for $25 at the airport, and immersing myself in its sound day and night.

The album exudes exceptional vibes from start to finish. At times, I can sense their influences from bands like Slayer and Sepultura, among others, in their music. It seamlessly combines progressive thrash metal elements with captivating black metal vocals. There is genuinely nothing negative I can say about this album. Moreover, delving into its technical standards seems unnecessary. This is '90s music, and it sounds absolutely perfect to me.

Considering all these factors, I must say I am utterly blown away by Witch-Hunt's Darkened Anthology. I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to the album multiple times and strongly recommend that you all give it a spin. The opening track, "Fragments," has earned its place in our Top Metal Songs Playlist on Spotify!

Feel free to explore the links below to learn more about the band, follow them on social media, and subscribe to their channels. Show your support and stay tuned for any exciting upcoming releases.

*Witch-Hunt, performing live on stage. Credit: Unknown*

In conclusion, the Metalhead Community Team extends our congratulations to Witch-Hunt for their phenomenal album, Darkened Anthology 1992-2002. We wish them the very best in their future endeavors. Thank you for reading.