There are about six different bands with the name Malleus perhaps because the name, meaning hammer, provokes imagery of forceful dread. While it is also the name of a bone inside ones ears, I? feel bands have chosen to name for the infamous witch hunting book, Malleus Maleficarum, as their patron saint. To Be honest, I couldn’t think of a better name to accompany a raw and filthy tribute of first wave black metal.

For the past couple of years, we have seen an increase in the attention paid to the lawless wasteland of the first wave of black metal. Black, Speed, Thrash, Death, and even hardcore punk have been thrown in a cauldron of hostile sounding music which wants nothing to do than to drink all your beer and party until the sun is up. Equipped with menacing psunonymns like The Hammer, The Channeler, and The Relentless, Storm of Witchcraft continues the tradition of anarchy with a lengthy EP totaling 35 minutes of trash burning black metal.

I feel this type of music works in part because it fulfills and area that has yet to be fully explored. While atmospheric black metal continues to be a popular hub for musicians and fans, bands that worship at the throne of Venom and Bathory are always a welcomed change. Songs like “The Wolf” evoke a primal feeling of voracious blasphemy which then conjures images of beasts and men and the transformation of one to the other. Come for nothing and leave with new blood.