The first time I encountered BÜTCHER was at a festival in Belgium, Blast From The Past. They made quite the impression on me, as their live show is extremely lively and bloody good. A friend of mine who had booked these guys before told me that yes, they rule when playing live, but their albums are rather a mess. The albums they had released until then were “Bestial Fukkin’ Warmachine” from 2017 and “666 Goats Carry My Chariot” from 2020. And, as usual, I haven’t heard them. That was the only reason I didn’t buy them on the day. Was that a wise decision? I don’t know, as I can only go on “On Fowl of Tyrant Wing”, which will be released on October 25th 2024.

BÜTCHER is on its second life. The first one was from 2002 until 2007, and only produced two demos. This time their existence started in 2017, and has brought us as Metal afficionados a lot more physical music. Metal with is mostly Speed orientated, with large additions of Black Metal and a little bit less Thrash Metal parts. To say that the kind of Metal they play is extremely ADHD orientated is a grave understatement. “On Fowl of Tyrant Wing” borders on organised chaotic mess. And as surprising as it might sound, I am getting it. Me, who likes his music to make sense, to be organised, am okay with an album filled to the brim with notes that are attacking from all sides. I feel I understand where BÜTCHER are coming from.

Does all this make me rate “On Fowl of Tyrant Wing” as exceptionally good? No, it doesn’t, but it does make me realise that even in a chaotic environment it is possible to make music that will amuse people, maybe even enthral. When I look back on that live show I saw, I have to admit that there were a lot of heads banging, a lot of bodies slamming and many fists raised when asked to do so. If, like me, you are unfamiliar with BÜTCHER, start with the song “A Sacrifice To Satan's Spawn” as this one has a real sense of very early IRON MAIDEN. If you like this, you can confidently go and experience the rest of “On Fowl of Tyrant Wing”. Like me you will find that some parts are brilliant, others are just good, but you will also encounter incomprehensible pieces that will take time to fathom.