When a new band is formed with a kick-ass musical resume, like in the case of WITHERING SCORN, formed in 2020 and releasing their debut album "Prophets of Demise" on Frontiers Records on July 7, 2023, the anticipation is off the charts and deservedly so. This "dream team" line up consists of metal heavyweights Glen Drover (EIDOLON, MEGADETH, KING DIAMOND), his brother Shawn Drover (EIDOLON, MEGADETH, ACT OF DEFIANCE), Joe DiBase (FATES WARNING) and Henning Basse (METALIUM, FIREWIND). There is just no possible way for this album not to be no-holes barred, flat out 100% uncompromised heavy fucking metal. When this album review was assigned to me, I felt like a young boy opening up his first Playboy magazine, full of wonder and excitement. So before I hit the play button, I made sure the volume was cranked to eleven, my windows were wide open to share this experience with the neighborhood and watch the "for sale" signs pop up.

I'm going to break protocol and do something I've never done in my reviews before and proclaim a "spoiler alert", this album is a metal masterpiece. The first two tracks "Prophets of Demise" and "The Vision" lay the groundwork with dark and sinister, pummeling riffs forcefully maintained by the solid and steady backbeat of rhythmic bass line and drumming. The vocals blend a cacophony of gritty and raw conviction of shear metal rapture. "Dark Reflections" has a superb mix of theatrics and thrash with an onslaught of creeping vocals, worthy of a slasher movie soundtrack showcased by molten licks and grinding riffs "Dethroned" is forged with lighting fast tempo enhanced by loping frolicking gallops as the throaty vocals latch on and create a muscular bond with the flawless guitar mastery, while the pace is perfectly balanced and maintained by the precise drumming and bass. The album ends with the spine-chilling "Eternal Screams" opening with a creeping arpeggio which simmers away like an evil potion on the fire, that you'll probably want to listen to with all the lights on, and climaxes with slick tempo changes and devouring and savage riffs. A masterful way to end a masterful effort.

"Prophets of Demise" checks all the boxes of a true headbanging experience. As good an album as I've heard in a long time. It's heavy, it's dark, it's seductive, and has the feel of a concept album with all the songs intertwining to portray an engaging storyline. The impressive thing about this album is simply how WITHERING SCORN did not emulate the blueprint from any of their previous bands, they created their own amazing sound and personality and each and every level of their talents shone brightly. This is a must listen for any banger.
REVIWERS NOTE: CATCH MY INTERVIEW WITH BASS PLAYER JOE DIBIASE ON THE CREATIVITY TALKIN (no g) PODCAST ON YOUTUBE.