HELLWITCH hailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida were formed in 1984. The technical Death and Thrash Metal outfit were active from 1984 to 1998 and then from 2004 onwards. They released two EPs, two compilation albums, one live album, and now their third full-length albums, the first one since 2009. "Annihilational Intercention" was recorded by Jeremy Staska (MALEVOLENT CREATION; UNEARTH). The album has a length of about 41 minutes and was released via French Black, Death, and Thrash Metal specialists Listenable Records.

HELLWITCH have had an illustrious career as they celebrate their 40^th anniversary next year. They had a few breaks and in terms of album releases, there has never been a continuity throughout their career. It does not come as a surprise that it took 14 years to release the new album since "Omnipotent Convocation". "Annihilational Intercention" starts with a guitar-driven, tension-building pre-lude to "Solipsistic Immortality", seamlessly transitioning into a verse part at blistering pace. Traditional Thrash Metal inspires the riffing and the vocals, which cover the medium to higher end of the vocal range. There are many technicalities in the riffing and the lead guitars as evident from the comprehensive lead guitar solo right after the mid-tempo break. "Solipsistic Immortality" is a very good opener and a good indication of the things to come. The things continue being frantic with "Delegated Disruption" during the verse part. The track is complex in its textures with many twists in tempo and rhythm as well as technicality in the drumming and the lead guitars. The song has many progressive elements throughout, but the extended lead guitar solo has plenty of Thrash Metal vibes. "Delegated Disruption" has been released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below.

"Megalopalyptic Confine" has a chaotic start with a blast-beat attack and the lead guitar introduction and transitions into a more traditional Thrash Metal verse part at crazy speed. The riffing is a bit more direct, but still playful. The lead guitar solo consists of two parts, with the first part being embedded into the mid-tempo break, while the second part comes at high pace. The lead guitars are the main focal point in "Megalopalyptic Confine" and the track is surely one of my album favorites. After the dark and melancholic inter-lude "Sorcerous Imminence", the Thrash Metal attack continues with "Hellwitch". It starts with a blast-beat thunderstorm and continues at high pace during the verse part. The track has a simple verse/chorus/break structure, where the chorus parts and the break are at mid-tempo. While the overall structure is straightforward, it is easy to get lost during the extended mid-tempo break with the many twists and turns of the riffing and the subtle changes in rhythm. Highlight of the track is the excellent lead guitar solo. The hammering continues with "Epochal Cessation", which is driven by another blast-beat attack. The riffing is relatively direct, but the lead guitars add technicality throughout the track. There are many tempo changes, which makes it challenging to listen to the track. A good example is the extended lead guitar solo, which starts Rock 'n Roll inspired at mid-tempo and ends SLAYER-esque at frantic speed.

"Anthropophagi" sounds very different from the other tracks. After an epic start, it continues as a ballad during the verse part at a slow tempo with powerful riffing. There is an abrupt change towards crazy speed and technical comprehensive riffing, lead guitars, and drumming. It is perhaps the most complex song on the album, and it surely takes a few times listening to it in order not to get lost. "At Rest" starts with dark and powerful riffing at mid-tempo, transitioning into another high-speed Thrash Metal track. The verse and chorus parts are relatively straight and direct, where technicality as well as twists in tempo are kept to a minimum. Focus is put onto the dark melodies. Highlight of the track is the extended and very contributing lead guitar solo. The album finishes with "Torture Chamber" and it starts Death Metal inspired with a short pre-lude, before tight riffing at fast pace introduces a final Thrash attack. The verse and chorus parts are simple and direct, as well as the cool lead guitar solo. "Torture Chamber" is for sure the most old school Thrash Metal track of the album and a great way to end "Annihilational Intercention".

All good things take their time and HELLWITCH have proven that this is true. "Annihilational Intercention" is an excellent mixture of technical Thrash Metal with progressive and traditional Thrash Metal elements. It is the versatility of the album sound, which is a reminder that Thrash Metal never sounds boring. "Annihilational Intercention" sounds fresh, dynamic, and modern, but sticks to its traditional Thrash Metal roots at the same time. The album is well produced. HELLWITCH release an excellent album, and if their next album is of the same quality, I am willing to wait for it for another decade.