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Necronomicon > The Return of the Witch > Reviews > BubbaRomero
Necronomicon - The Return of the Witch

NecronomicoN- Return of the Witch - 60%

BubbaRomero, June 8th, 2010

"Return of the Witch" is a very good album! However, they fall into the category of Dimmu Borgir/Behemoth clones trying to emulate in appearance from their video "The time is Now". The album is filled with
very fast paced double bass and short but fast blast beats. The guitars sound very dirty and still have the influence band's such as Morbid Angel. The Vocalist/guitarist goes under the name as Rob "the Witch". If he is indeed a witch wouldn't it make more sense to call him a Warlock?

The guitar solo's are very metal. More traditional heavy metal than that of death or black metal bands. The bass is very strong in the mix and can be heard clearly throughout. NecronomicoN are going for more of a black metal album this time around since their first full length which was Egyptian Death metal. I find that the band is trying to appeal more to the European audiences than their former audiences of Canadian death metal exclusively. I assume that's why they have recently signed to Napalm Records who have artists such as Atrocity, EdenBridge, Elis, and Leave's eyes.

Some of the new elements that are present in "Return of the Witch" have a new atmospheric sound very similar to German band "Atrocity" and even some "Cradle of Filth" are present here. The music is still pretty technical with a different feel than their last "Sacred Medecines". Present on the track "The Awakening" are the guest appearances of back ground female vocalists from Quo Vadis and Augury which set a very occultish haunting vibe to song. The Album is also recorded by Quo Vadis guitarist Bart Frydrychowicz which does an ok job. The band should of went to Jean-François Dagenais of Kataklysm fame to get it mixed and produced.

"Necropolis" is a very slow paced song and very new distinct song with a underlining "Cradle of Filth" similarity to it with Gothic elements. "Lilith" has a new experimental side to it with the use of percussion and keyboards. Their is also a small reference on keys to "Pharoah of God" album but very small. On "Alpha and Omega" the bass is very strong in the song. The guitars are exploring a more chunkier sound unlike anything they have tried before. Distorted vocals with keyboards can be heard throughout this song.

The drum work is very standard and sometime's the cymbals can't be heard much but in some places the reference of Krisiun quick pace blasts with drum fills are present. The double bass is fast however they are too dominant in the mix and make me wonder if their is a snare drum at all. Distorted vocal passages can be heard throughout the album. The music is extremely powerful and take the listener on a journey that only Rob "The Witch" can take a listener.

Personally, in my opinion I think "NecronomicoN" should stick to their original formula of Egyptian Death metal or Native American heritage influences instead of cashing in on the more popular European sound they are going for. The whole tribe thing has been done. Look no further than Sepultura's "Roots". NecronomicoN should really try to go back to the "Pharoah of God" style in my opinion. It was truly unique and even if Nile are playing egyptian styled death metal, NecronomicoN were doing it long before them. Not an overall bad album but definitely not original at all. Stick to the original material on your first albums and I bet we'll see a completely better band on the next album. I'm disappointed with this release they can do better.

Song highlights are "The Time is Now", "Return of the Witch", and "The Awakening".