Symphony for the Devil
Witchery · 2001
46 min · 12 tracks · black metal
A ferocious blend of black and death metal, laced with thrash energy and dark lyrical themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Unholy Wars — With its relentless pace and fierce guitar work, this track encapsulates the aggressive essence of the album while addressing themes of conflict and chaos.
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Inquisition — This song combines haunting melodies with brutal lyrics, creating an atmosphere that reflects on historical atrocities, making it a standout representation of the band's thematic depth.
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Called for by Death — The closing track features a dramatic build-up and intricate arrangements, showcasing Witchery's ability to merge complexity with raw power effectively.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong riffs and dynamic shifts, solidifying Witchery's place in extreme metal.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a relentless tempo, maintaining high energy through the first half.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, shifting from blast beats to slower, heavier riffs, creating dynamic contrasts.
- Lyrical themes are consistently dark and macabre, with each song exploring different aspects of death and the occult.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- frenzied energy for workouts
- dark themes for introspective moments
- short bursts of intensity
- cathartic release with loud volume
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light, uplifting sounds
- seek mellow background music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Symphony for the Devil is Witchery's third studio album, released in 2001, following the critical success of their previous album, Witchburner. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their reputation within the extreme metal scene, showcasing a refined sound that balanced aggression with melodic elements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dark Angel· Kreator· At the Gates
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Storm 3:34
- 2 Unholy Wars 3:12
- 3 Inquisition 3:57
- 4 Omens 4:29
- 5 Bone Mill 2:41
- 6 None Buried Deeper… 3:57
- 7 Wicked 2:59
- 8 Called for by Death 4:57
- 9 Hearse of the Pharaohs 5:06
- 10 Shallow Grave 4:23
- 11 Enshrined 4:15
- 12 The One Within 3:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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