And the old-school revival continues! As the Internet gives millions of new young fans access to the world’s heaviest genre, bands are realizing that ideas from 20-and-more years ago can be re-used now on a fresh crowd and be even more successful than they were the first time around.

Skeletonwitch most definitely fit into this bunch with their crunchy melodic thrash dipped in viscous black metal. Think Megadeth riffing, Iron Maiden leads, and Bathory atmosphere.

Out of respect for the band’s go-for-the-gusto, straightforward style, I’ll refrain from describing Breathing the Fire with a dozen flowery adjectives, and just simply state: it rips.

The band wastes no time at all. The songs are short and built on awesome riffs. There are no spacey transitions, experiments of any kind, or attempts at being something they’re not. They deliver kick ass metal songs about evil, straight up.

If you’re into any thrash, death, or black metal at all, there is absolutely no reason you wouldn’t love Skeletonwitch.

4.0/5