THE BEAST

Belgian speed metal juggernauts BÜTCHER are back with their highly anticipated third album, On Fowl of Tyrant Wing, released via Osmose Productions on October 25, 2024. This latest offering sees the band pushing their already explosive blend of old-school metal into even more unexpected and thrilling territories, solidifying their reputation as one of the most exciting acts in the underground metal scene.

BÜTCHER’s music has always been a potent cocktail of speed, thrash, heavy, and black metal, laced with the energy and attitude of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) and classic hard rock. Fans of the band’s previous albums, Bestial Fükkin’ Warmachine (2017) and 666 Goats Carry My Chariot (2020), will find plenty to love here, but On Fowl of Tyrant Wing also offers something more—a daring evolution that sees the band delving deeper into their influences while crafting something uniquely their own.

Side A of the album is a blistering assault of speed metal anthems that capture the raw, unrelenting energy BÜTCHER is known for. Tracks like "Speed Metal Samurai" and "Koraktor's Iron Rule" are instant classics, delivering ferocious riffs and blazing solos that harken back to the golden age of '80s metal, yet with a modern edge that keeps them fresh and relevant. The band's ability to balance melody with sheer intensity is on full display, making these tracks not just headbangers but also earworms that stick with you long after the last note has faded.

However, it’s Side B where On Fowl of Tyrant Wing truly shines and surprises. This side of the album is a conceptual masterpiece, featuring three epic tracks that take the listener on a dark and twisted journey through a world of mysticism and mayhem. Penned by vocalist R Hellshrieker and composed by guitarist KK Ripper, this side of the album introduces elements of heavy, death, and black metal, interwoven with tempo changes, sitars, organs, and an array of percussion instruments that add layers of depth and intrigue. "A Sacrifice To Satan's Spawn" is particularly noteworthy, with its seven-plus minutes of dynamic shifts and haunting melodies that build to a climactic crescendo.

"A Gypsy's Tale (Of Sex and Seance)" and "An Ending In Fyre" further showcase BÜTCHER’s willingness to experiment and expand their sound. These tracks are rich in atmosphere and narrative, pulling the listener into the album’s dark and eerie world. The closing track, "An Ending In Fyre," is a nine-and-a-half-minute epic that feels like the perfect culmination of everything BÜTCHER has been building toward—it's both progressive and primal, a fitting end to an album that is as ambitious as it is ferocious.

On Fowl of Tyrant Wing is more than just a follow-up to 666 Goats Carry My Chariot; it’s a bold statement of intent from a band that refuses to be pigeonholed. BÜTCHER has crafted an album that pays homage to the past while boldly forging its own path, delivering a listening experience that is both exhilarating and thought-provoking. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of traditional speed metal or someone looking for something with a bit more depth and variety, this album is sure to satisfy—and then some.

https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/