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I've been waiting on Spell Shock, Bewitcher's fourth full-length album, as they are one of my favorite black/thrash bands in the scene. This hard-working band (their Instagram account is chock full of tour dates at all times) once again delivers the evil, frantic goods with the only change to their core sound of hateful rasps, sawing guitars, and pounding drums having more of a black and roll vibe to the songwriting. Cuts like "Out Against the Law" have a riff and solo not so far removed from trad metal, where "Lavish Desecration" is in line with their earlier screaming, speed metal attack. Spell Shock is perhaps a little more Motörhead and a little less Venom than Bewitcher's earlier efforts. I like it a lot and would take it over a lot of other releases, but Bewitcher is up against the toughest of hurdles, that being their earlier works which had a visceral, unhinged quality that is not as prevalent this time around. While it may not be Bewitcher or Under the Witching Cross, Spell Shock is still a top-notch black/thrash album that should keep Bewitcher at the forefront of the genre. And don't skip a chance to see them live, you will not be disappointed.