Review: Wormwitch + Sadistic Ritual Split EP Skillfully Unites Black Metal and Progressive Thrash
Too often in metal, bands overstay their welcome. They write long-winded songs or they stuff their albums with filler (looking at you, 72 Seasons…) when sometimes all the listener wants is something that respects their time yet still packs a punch and has something to say. Thankfully, the forthcoming split EP from Wormwitch and Sadistic Ritual proves to be a short, yet powerful record that instantly demands your attention.
Hailing from Vancouver, Wormwitch play a blend of blackened, thrashy, punky, melodeath that’s all their own, while Atlanta’s Sadistic Ritual take a psychedelic approach to proggy thrash. Like two halves of a cohesive whole, the six tracks mesh together well despite the two bands’ disparate styles.
Kicking off with “Weapons Against Despair” from Wormwitch, the EP launches on a strong note with a defiant call to arms against oppressive forces. Armed with an energetic atmosphere throughout, this song really sets the tone for the rest of what’s to come.
As the songs unfold, Wormwitch keep it going with melody and lyrics that push back against the frustration of living in a bleak and dystopian world. “Rayonnant Banners,” as the title suggests, is almost triumphant and hopeful despite the bleak overall tone of the band. Closing out Wormwith’s half, “Spells Of Tartarus” is a little more prog-heavy and technical, transitioning nicely to Sadistic Ritual’s second half of the record.
For the last three tracks, Sadistic Ritual pick things up a little with their frenetic style. And despite this feeling like a major tonal shift within the split EP, the whole thing remains held together pretty well. Their first track, “Obscurity’s Stare,” is heavy and dark for the band. It almost feels like a little bit of the spiraling, blackened mire that Wormwitch wallow in has bled into their sound a bit.
And the rest of the record keeps up that flow with two more strong tracks. Personally, I found the closing track “Reminiscence Unrealized” to be my favorite of the whole set, as it ends things on a strong note. This one really stood out to me, especially because I went into this release as more of a Wormwitch fan. This song is heavy and almost technical, though it still kicks major ass.
All of the songs on this record were originally recorded back in 2022, and they’re finally seeing the light of day. This release proves that the art of the split album is still as potent and viable as it ever was, giving two bands a chance to collaborate in a way that feels more powerful than a full-length in some cases.
The Wormwitch and Sadistic Ritual split EP will be released on March 22 via Boris Records, but you can preorder your copy today.