Artist: Sepulchral Witchcraft
Country: Russia
Label: Self-Released
Formats: Digital Demo
Year: 2026
Although Sepulchral Witchcraft is a (new) band from Russia, there’s musically nothing that seems to tie the band to their native scene – or at least what we usually associate with Russian Black Metal, if such a thing even exists. Sepulchral Witchcraft offers a debut demo that does not much last longer than five minutes and serves us with some unadulterated Bestial Black/Death Metal in the ultimate American fashion.
The three tracks on ‘Culto A La Muerte’ harkens back to Profanatica’s second coming, combined with bits and pieces of bands like Void Meditation Cult and Morbosidad – the latter might even easily come to mind because of the Spanish title. It is simple and straight-forward pummelling in the old tradition that includes chopping drums and grinding guitars and, most notably, the hissing and vile sounding vocals that do remind of Paul Ledney’s. It is violent and breathes an occult atmosphere, something that is a rather unique combination of styles that is basically only captured by a handful of bands before. It might not be of the same level of quality and competence of the likes of Profanatica, Demoncy and Beherit for instance, but it surely delivers just that what you’d hope for if you’re on the prowl for some truly depraved and thoroughly evil stuff.
As far as I was able to find out, ‘Culto A La Muerte’ is not going to see a physical release yet. The short playing time of merely 5 minutes is a little short for putting on a tape as well, but the offered intensity definitely demands a slightly more substantial follow-up. So, hopefully, ‘Culto A La Muerte’ will soon treat us on a 15-minute EP or a new demo that is worth putting out on tape.
