Panzerchrist – Maleficium Part 2 (Legitimately Good Witch Metal)

 

I was familiar with Panzerchrist before this one, but I passed. One of the reasons I passed is the themes. Witches, witch hunters, maleficia, Christ, hell, even panzers? Damn, this shit’s batting zero and this isn’t even baseball. Are they aware of that? So when I saw Part 2 of their Maleficium series appear in the inbox I released a collective sigh for all of us over-inundated by the witch shit. But I liked the art, since it came from one of the biggest artists in the metal community (see credits below) and I did like some of what I heard previous in Part 1, so why not give it a quick shot? First reaction? Holy fuck I love witches. Is this a new genre?

   

Alright I don’t like the themes, and I will say, unequivocally, that the witch shit is stupid. I see one reference to Walpurgis Night and I’m about to tap out. There’s probably a dozen in here. That aside, I’m sure we could agree typical themes usually lead to typical results, but not in this case. Maleficium Part 2 is different in that musically speaking you’re going to find nothing here but pure…fucking…power. Does a track about the “Witchfinder General,” for probably the kazillionth time in metal history, sound like it’s going to underdeliver? Yes. But when created by the hands of Panzerchrist, however, you’re going to find it’s superior to practically everything else. The real key to this album’s success, and likely the band from this point, is the absolutely expertise in the delivery. Simply put, Panzerchrist knows what they’re doing structurally. From the second the riff action begins, and especially once Sonja tears up her throat, you know this band doesn’t just mean business, they are the business. Trust me on this, once you hear the power this band is capable of fashioning, it doesn’t matter if it’s about witches. Would I like to see a different thematic approach? Yes, but honestly, I’m about to be sold on witch metal being a thing that should be a thing.

 

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Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls

Panzerchrist – Maleficium Part 2
Emanzipation Productions
Cover Art: Belial NecroArts
4.2 / 5