Tag Archives: vrag’s forest studio

Album Review – WitcheR / Öröklét (2025)

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Hungary’s own uncanny duo returns with their fourth opus, once again conjuring supernatural forces through their undisputed Atmospheric Black Metal based on classical music elements and strong synth harmonies.

Once again conjuring supernatural forces through their undisputed Atmospheric Black Metal based on classical music elements and strong synth harmonies, the uncanny Hungarian duo WitcheR returns with their fourth full-length opus titled Öröklét, or “eternity”, the follow-up to their 2022 opus Lélekharang and their 2024 instrumental EP of classical music covers Boszork​á​nyszimf​ó​ni​á​k. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Vrag’s Forest Studio, while again displaying a classy artwork by Grafit és Hamu, the new offering by Karola Gere on vocals and synths, and Roland Neubauer on vocals, guitars and drums showcases the band’s trademark sound with catchy melodies and elevated mood, while the lyrics continue to delve into the world of witchcraft, Hungarian folklore, adherence to old values, and the maximum opposition to the modern world.

The whimsical synths by Karola kick off the opening tune Örökség, or “heritage” in English, inviting us all to embark on an Atmospheric Black Metal journey where the sluggish beats by Roland add endless melancholy and heaviness to their sound. Then we have Szélhozó (which means “windbringer” or something like that), sounding like a devilish waltz where the duo fires the perfect fusion of their core Black Metal with classical music, all spiced up by the rich folklore of their homeland, with their harsh vociferations sounding darkly majestic; and more of their imposing sounds is offered to us all in Röghöz kötött (“bound to the moment”), where the listener is invited to explore its multiple layers behind the band’s trademark Atmospheric Black Metal curtain. After such a bold and dense musical voyage we face the fantastic title-track Öröklét, with Karola’s keys clashing in a beautiful way with Roland’s Black Metal riffage. In other words, the song is at the same time delicate yet powerful and gloomy, and I would love to see it played live. And lastly, we’re treated to their version of Franz Schubert’s Piano Trio No. 2 – Andante con moto, a Black Metal-fueled rendition of an undisputed classic from a time long forgotten.

The multi-talented Karola Gere and Roland Neubauer are waiting for you with news, tour dates and all other nice-to-know details about their unique and captivating WitcheR on Facebook, Instagram and VKontakte, as I’m sure they would love to hear what you have to say about their music. Don’t forget to also subscribe to their YouTube channel and stream their fantastic creations on Spotify, and above all that, to purchase the excellent Öröklét from their own BandCamp, from the Filosofem Records’ BandCamp, or from the Beverina Productions’ BandCamp. In the end, the music by WitcheR is the ultimate depiction of the thin line between Heavy Metal and classical music, and based on the first-class striking compositions in Öröklét, we can rest assured they’ll keep delivering such a high level of excellence for several decades to come.

Best moments of the album: Szélhozó and Öröklét.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Filosofem Records/Beverina Productions

Track listing
1. Örökség 9:36
2. Szélhozó 8:08
3. Röghöz kötött 9:10
4. Öröklét 9:36
5. Piano Trio No. 2 – Andante con moto (Franz Schubert cover) 3:46

Band members
Karola Gere – vocals, synths
Roland Neubauer – vocals, guitars, drums

Album Review – WitcheR / Lélekharang (2022)

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A talented Hungarian duo brings to our avid ears Atmospheric Black Metal in its most magical form, entrancing the senses with its yearning for things lost to the relentless march of progress.

Steeped in the folklore and ancient beliefs of their homeland, Lélekharang, which translates as “soul bell”, is the third full-length opus by Szombathely, Hungary-based Atmospheric Black Metal duo WitcheR, dedicated to fans of Summoning, Wolves in the Throne Room and early Dimmu Borgir. Recorded at Vrag’s Forest Studio, engineered, mixed and mastered by WitcheR themselves, and displaying a stylish artwork by Grafit és Hamu, Lélekharang is Atmospheric Black Metal in its most magical form, entrancing the senses with its yearning for things lost to the relentless march of progress, all carefully brought into being by Karola Gere on vocals and synths, and Roland Neubauer (aka Vrag) on vocals, guitars and drums, leading you through the forests of memory to a place where all that was lost is found once more.

The gentle, atmospheric piano by Karola will embrace us all in the album’s Intro, transporting our souls to the Stygian realm ruled by WitcheR in Hamvak (or “ashes” from Hungarian), exploding into stunning Atmospheric Black Metal where Roland extracts anguish and fear from his riffs while at the same time he dictates the pace with his stylish beats. Moreover, the duo offers us demonic gnarls and endless obscurity throughout the entire song, making it even more compelling; followed by the title-track Lélekharang, an even more enfolding, atmospheric aria by such talented Hungarian duo, with its beautiful background elements and the synths by Karola adding an extra Stygian touch to the overall result, creating a fantastic paradox with the scorching riffage by Roland. Csendesen (“silently”) offers us all seven minutes of majestic passages, imposing synths and drums, and all the energy that only Atmospheric Black Metal can bring to our avid ears, sounding truly enticing from start to finish, and as expected the duo fires another sensational explosion of their fusion of Black and Doom Metal with pure atmospheric elements entitled Hazatérés (“homecoming”), where their deep, devilish roars are spiced up by the razor-edged riffs and hammering drums by Roland, flowing into their delicate cover version for Moonlight Sonata Op. 27. No. 2. I. Adagio sostenuto by Ludwig van Beethoven ( check the original version HERE), putting a climatic finale to the album.

The brand new spawn of obscurity by WitcheR can be fully appreciated on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course you should show your utmost support to the duo and purchase the album from their own BandCamp page, from the Filosofem Records’ BandCamp page, or from the Beverina Productions’ BandCamp page, and don’t forget to also follow the band on Facebook, Instagram and VKontakte, to subscribe to their YouTube channel, and to stream all of their unique creations on Spotify. The bells of Atmospheric Black Metal are tolling majestically thanks to the amazing job done by WitcheR in their new album, taking the Hungarian underground to new heights and leaving us all eager for more of their music in the near future.

Best moments of the album: Lélekharang and Hazatérés.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2022 Filosofem Records/Beverina Productions/Casus Belli Musica

Track listing
1.Intro 1:48
2.Hamvak 7:44
3.Lélekharang 10:16
4.Csendesen 6:58
5.Hazatérés 9:20
6.Moonlight Sonata Op. 27. No. 2. I. Adagio sostenuto (Ludwig van Beethoven cover) 3:24

Band members
Karola Gere – vocals, synths
Roland Neubauer – vocals, guitars, drums