Eternal Sea

Witchcraft

Croatia’s Witchcraft emerges from the shadows of the late 1980s with "Eternal Sea", a demo LP that captures the raw essence of thrash and heavy metal in its infancy. Originally released in 1989 and available only on cassette, this 2024 reissue reminds us of a time when the genre was still shaping its identity, and bands like Witchcraft were at the forefront of that creative explosion. Despite its demo roots, "Eternal Sea" feels remarkably polished for its era, boasting aggressive guitar work, blistering solos, and vocal performances that are as diverse as they are ferocious. With its mix of thrash intensity and heavy metal theatrics, this LP stands as a testament to the genre’s early potential.
October 29, 2024

The album opens with a brief “Intro”, a calm before the storm that hints at the chaos to come. As the eerie atmosphere builds, there’s a sense of anticipation, a forewarning of the sonic assault that Witchcraft is about to unleash. Without much delay, we’re plunged into the furious maelstrom that is “Burn Witch.” Right from the first riff, the song wastes no time in setting a relentless pace. The guitars slice through the mix with surgical precision, while the drumming pounds away with an aggression that belies the demo’s 1989 origins. The vocals are raw, visceral, and perfectly suited to the track’s venomous energy. Solos erupt with blistering speed, enhancing the song’s ferocity while remaining melodic enough to engage the listener fully.

“Seventh Sabbat” continues the thrash assault, this time embracing the genre’s purest form. The guitars drive forward with an unrelenting energy, their riffs sharp and aggressive. The vocals here are notably high-pitched, cutting through the chaos with a piercing intensity that channels the likes of early Slayer and Exodus. There’s an undeniable electricity to this track, a wild energy that makes it a standout on the album. Despite its raw production, the song feels like a diamond in the rough, showcasing Witchcraft’s ability to harness thrash metal’s speed and power in a way that was still relatively fresh in the late ’80s.

Perhaps the most surprising track on "Eternal Sea" is “Odyssey,” a masterful interpretation of Strauss’ Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Instead of the usual thrash mayhem, Witchcraft takes a step back and blends classical music with metal in an unexpectedly effective way. The instrumental interplay is brilliant, with guitars mimicking orchestral swells while drums add a heavier, more grounded feel to the composition. The real standout here is the vocal experimentation; the band mixes voices in an almost maniacal way, creating a sense of grandeur and madness. It’s a brave move that pays off, adding an extra layer of depth to the LP.

“Pray to Die” returns to the unrelenting speed and aggression that defines much of the album. The energy is palpable, with rapid-fire guitar riffs and aggressive drumming driving the song forward. The vocal delivery is razor-sharp, cutting through the mix with an intensity that fits perfectly within the thrash template. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense track, but one that demonstrates Witchcraft’s mastery of the genre even in its early stages. The solos here are particularly noteworthy, showcasing technical skill without losing the raw edge that makes this demo so compelling.

Closing out this selection is “Den of Vice,” a track that perfectly encapsulates Witchcraft’s blend of thrash and heavy metal. The riffing here is more deliberate, with a slower, more menacing pace that allows the song to breathe. There’s a sense of creeping dread in the guitars, as if the track is building toward something catastrophic. When the vocals enter, they match the atmosphere perfectly—harsh, guttural, yet controlled. The song culminates in a flurry of solos that are both technically impressive and emotionally charged, adding a sense of climax to the experience.

For a demo recorded in 1989, "Eternal Sea" is an exceptional piece of work. Witchcraft not only showcases their technical skill but also their ability to craft memorable, impactful songs that stand the test of time. The reissue serves as a reminder of the boundless creativity of thrash and heavy metal’s formative years, and the album itself is a hidden gem from a band that clearly had a vision for the future of the genre.

10 / 10

Masterpiece

Songwriting

10

Musicianship

9

Memorability

9

Production

10
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"Eternal Sea" Track-listing:

1. Intro

2. Burn Witch

3. Seventh Sabbat

4. Odyssey

5. Pray to Die

6. Trust in evil

7. Sinful Nun

8. To Hell and Back

9. Den of Vice

10. Eternal Sea

Witchcraft Lineup:

Dean Harder Guitars

Milan Čojić Čoja Bass

Siniša Vuco Vocals

Elvis Katic Drums

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