Tell me something, have you been vindicated yet? Have you lately been slammed by a fist of old school Metal? If you haven't been vindicated or slammed, now you will. After two years, the US VINDICATOR is back to release their raw wrath on the world of Metal. Modernity? Lay it to waste right now because this is an old school only club. "The Antique Witcheries", released under the band's new label Heavy Artillery Records, VINDICATOR in their usual raw form, yet quite polished than their earlier encounter of "There Will Be Blood". In general, what made this album to be so great are two facts. VINDICATOR locked their Metal direction more towards the American old school side of Bay Area Speed / Thrash and second, their production was elevated in comparison to their older releases.When I first heard "There Will be Blood", I first thought these guys were going to hit like the old teutonic Thrash cult bands. That album was dirty, raw and uneven, but quite likable of you like it rough. In "The Antique Witcheries" is more of the US all the way. VINDICATOR left KREATOR and DARK ANGEL at home and intensified the NWOBHM dependableness overall and seldom in Bay Area Thrash. To say that it is wrong, it will be a great mistake. Nevertheless, in the band's case of "The Antique Witcheries" it only did them well.

VINDICATOR nowadays sound like the classic old METALLICA mixed with speedy old MEGADETH with nice melodic emplacements of British Metal, which provided the gravy upon the bands bashing riffs. From their way of playing on this release, they surely upgraded their abilities as well.Next to what blew me away was the band's production. Through the sound that created that well-done aura of the 80's, I became like a drug addict as I just couldn't stop consuming the overall work that was done here. "The Antique Witcheries" may a little bit refined than "There Will Be Blood" however, everything here is so clear, even in a raw type shape. The guitars are crunchy, drums are chopping, bass is clear and accurate and the vocals, even a bit behind the guitars, were placed in their respectable stage. "The Antique Witcheries" has the sweet reminders of "Kill 'Em All", "Metal Church" and "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good". If those aren't good examples from what can enslave your ears, what will?

VINDICATOR, as they present themselves as one of pioneers of the New Wave Of Thrash Metal, make a full tribute to the old wave of the sub-genre. US Metal needs reshaping, and fast, to its old formation and bands like VINDICATOR, who sounds, looks and feels like it need all the support they get. "The Antique Witcheries", besides being a personal creation of the group, is a sort of 'a thanks' to the recognition of the old school. This album maybe one of many, yet, its quality will sometime make it a classic in the eyes of the Metal fans. If you think otherwise and don't agree, check out the entire release, especially "Sewn To The Flesh", "Beneath The Guillotine", "The Antique Witcheries", "Dead In The Water", "Fear Monger" and "Communal Decay".