Midnight – Let There Be Witchery

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MIDNIGHT is a project by an American man from Cleveland in Ohio, who used to be in the band BOULDER. His name is Jamie Walters, but here he calls himself  Athenar. He hasn’t exactly kept quiet since he started this project in 2003. He has made just about everything, ranging from full length records (three until this one), live albums (four to date), compilations (five until now), EP’s (five so far), singles (three before now), demos (also three), splits (four that we know of) and a collaboration with Professor Black in 2018. So, for MIDNIGHT to come up with such a strong record as “Let There Be Witchery” is, is quite remarkable. Somehow, he just keeps coming up with enough quality inspiration to please the masses once again.

Because this is class with a capital C. From the VOIVOD influenced start with “Telepathic Nightmare” until the very naughty “Szex Witchery”, the music will draw you in, wrap its arms around you and it just won’t let go. At first, though, I wasn’t convinced. I felt that it was simple but effective, but left it at that. The more I listened to it, the more it grew on me. The sound is mesmerizing, especially for an old dog like me. The drum sound is a direct copy of that of EXCITER on their debut album “Heavy Metal Maniac”, and I happen to adore that sound. The guitars come across as if you have early VENOM competing with MORE as they sounded on their debut album.

The vocals are as sick as the sound and fit the music perfectly. Especially because the lyrics match the sickening atmosphere of “Let There Be Witchery”. And the fact that Athenar has done all this by himself only enhances the praise (should I use this word with a satanic musician?) and adoration (another word that doesn’t really fit, but hey, I’m using it anyway) I feel for this album and MIDNIGHT. To write the music, but also to be able to translate what you have written onto a usable recording is something not to be sniffed at. Although I suspect that Athenar wouldn’t really object, seeing that he feels we should “Let There Be Sodomy”.

Best songs on the album as far as I’m concerned are “In Sinful Secrecy”, “More Torment”, “Devil Virgin” and “Villainy Wretched Villainy”. These epitomize MIDNIGHT on this superb album, “Let There Be Witchery”. Can’t wait to play this again.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 9
Production: 9