It began in 1997 when their cult band Satanic Slaughter splintered, Witchery started as guitarists Patrik Jensen (The Haunted) and Rille Rimfält, vocalist Toxine, drummer Mique, and bassist Sharlee D'Angelo (Arch Enemy, Mercyful Fate).
In 1998 they recorded and released their debut, Restless And Dead by Necropolis Records. Later that year, Witchery released the Witchburner minialbum. The EP featured two originals and four cover songs bearing witness to the individual musicians’ influences. In 1999, Witchery embarked on a U.S. tour with Emperor and Borknagar.
Their second full-length album, Dead, Hot and Ready, was unleashed soon thereafter, and a six-week early 2000 European tour followed.
Symphony For The Devil, the band’s 2001 release, was recorded at Berno Studio (Amon Amarth, Dark Funeral) in Malmö, Sweden, with the new drummer, Martin “Axe” Axenrot (Bloodbath, Opeth). Witchery returned to tour North America later that year with The Haunted.
Returning to Berno Studios in 2004, the band recorded Don’t Fear The Reaper, this time entrusting mixing duties to Tue Madsen and his Antfarm Studios (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Himsa). After recording the album, the band signed a worldwide record deal with Century Media.
In April 2010 accomplished black metal singer Legion (Erik Hagsted, ex-Marduk, ex-Devian) joined the band to replace Toxine who had to drop out because of schedule issues. According to the press release the split happened by mutual agreement. The new album entitled Witchkrieg (an obvious pun on Blitzkrieg) was released on June 21st, 2010. The new album features Kerry King from metal legends Slayer playing a solo on the title track Witchkrieg. On the 19th of June, 2010, the band played at the annual Metaltown festival in Gothenburg.
Erik "Legion" Hagstedt - Vocals (2010-) (Ophthalamia, Devian, Marduk (Swe))
Patrik Jensen - Guitars (1997-) (The Haunted, Brujeria, Seance (Swe), Satanic Slaughter, Orchriste)
Richard Corpse (Rille Rimfält) - Guitars (1997-) (Seance (Swe))
Sharlee D'Angelo - Bass (1997-) (Arch Enemy, Sinergy, Illwill, Dismember (Swe), Mercyful Fate, Facelift, Spiritual Beggars)
Martin Axe - Drums (1999-) (Nephenzy Chaos Order, Nifelheim (Swe), Satanic Slaughter, Triumphator (Swe), Morgue (Swe), Bloodbath (Swe), Opeth)
A little update,HAIL LEGION!!!!!!!!!!
The Reaper
Witchery Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The king of the kills
Armageddons father,
I'm lurking in darkness,
Ready to take your body and your soul
The Reaper, the Reaper
I'm coming to get you
Prepare to die!
Don't try to escape,
I'm hunting you down
Holding you tight in my grip
Kissing the steel,
The flash of my blade gleaming in your stare
The Reaper, the Reaper
I'm coming to get you
The Reaper, the Reaper
I'm the almighty,
The king of the kills
Armageddons father
Kissing the steel,
The flash of my blade gleaming in your stare
The Witchery song "The Reaper" is a dark, ominous piece that highlights the personification of death as a powerful, unstoppable force. The lyrics speak to the idea that Death itself is a being with agency, as opposed to a passive occurrence that happens to all of us eventually. The singer, who embodies the character of Death, boasts about being the "almighty" and the "king of the kills," cementing their power and authority.
The lyrics are especially striking in the way they describe Death stalking their prey – the idea of lurking in darkness, hunting someone down, and holding them tight in their grip is chilling. The chorus, in which the singer warns their victim to "Prepare to die!" is particularly foreboding. The final lines, in which Death describes the "flash of my blade gleaming in your stare," underscores the idea that Death is both powerful and feared.
Overall, "The Reaper" is a powerful meditation on the role of Death in our lives, and the idea that it is an active force that has the power to take not just our bodies, but our souls as well.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the almighty,
I am all-powerful and supreme,
The king of the kills
I reign over all deaths,
Armageddons father,
I am the father of the end of the world,
I'm lurking in darkness,
I am hiding in the shadows,
Ready to take your body and your soul
I am prepared to claim both your physical and spiritual being,
The Reaper, the Reaper
I am the Grim Reaper,
I'm coming to get you
I am on my way to collect you,
Prepare to die!
Be ready to face your mortality,
Don't try to escape,
Do not attempt to flee,
I'm hunting you down
I am pursuing you relentlessly,
Holding you tight in my grip
I have a firm grasp on you,
Kissing the steel,
I am caressing my blade,
The flash of my blade gleaming in your stare
The shine of my weapon reflects in your eyes
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@SpookyApparition
This was reissued?! Witchery is one of the most underrated metal bands. They were keeping thrash alive in the late 90s and added a fun Halloween vibe to it. Fucking kickass band.
@someonesomebody304
FINALLY!! This has been needing a rerelease for 20 years!!
@GreysZero
Ha resultado algo frustrante que, siendo mi álbum favorito de la banda, no pudiera encontrarlo en Spotify, así como me ha pasado con álbumes antigüos de otras bandas.
Justo ahora, en Spotify, solo está disponible esta pista, pero, al menos, ahora tengo una mayor esperanza de ver el álbum completo.
@stickybooga
I actually still have the CD from when this album originally came out haha! Midnight at the Graveyard still one of my favorite songs 🤟🤟
@m.ag.c6624
Gracias por esta música celestial para mis oídos amigo
@Charles_Anthony
My kind of music video! No lyrics flying at the screen!
@rac50172015
Solid! Ready for more, they have much more to offer.
@Nejdebro
funny fact: the tombstone says "ben wrangle". that's a word pun for the swedish word "benrangel" which is children's slang for skeleton or a very skinny person. quite suitable with the skeleton standing over it :)
@rockaddict3744
Whoa, nice fun fact dude👍
@sergand100
Вещь! Обязательный must have!