THE BEAST

Today,   Hells Headbangers  sets October 30th as the international release date for   Witchtrap 's long-awaited fifth album,  Evil Strikes Again , on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

By now, the Colombian power-trio of   Witchtrap   should require no introduction. Since 1992, these maniacs have been flying the flag of hate for evil thrash and speed metal with no compromise and no quarter given. Across four full-lengths and more than twice as many EPs, demos, and splits,   Witchtrap   have perfected a sound that's eminently classic but undeniably their own. Their energy is utterly addicting; simply put,   Witchtrap   are equally evil  and  fun.

Poignant proof is   Witchtrap 's fifth album,  Evil Strikes Again , now finding finding worldwide release courtesy of longtime fans/supporters   Hells Headbangers . Released earlier this year on CD in South America via the band's own Dirty Sound Records,  Evil Strikes Again  might be   Witchtrap 's first new recording in five years, but it sounds like it could've come swiftly after career-apex predecessor  Trap the Witch . If that album was the penultimate   Witchtrap   experience, then  Evil Strikes Again  handily eclipses that feat: leaner, meaner, and almost effortless in its energetic rush. Naturally, the foundation of  Endless Pain -meets- Evil Invaders  is as firm as ever, but once again do the power-trio maximize the latent rock 'n' roll feeling that informed so much early thrash and speed metal, making each of these nine tracks (plus intro) as catchy as the next. Likewise, as doubtlessly suggested by the album's title,   Witchtrap   continue to maximize the EVIL, perhaps most proven by the trifecta of "Return to Hell," "The Devil's on the Loose," and "Dealing With Satan." And it wouldn't be   Witchtrap   without a timely reminder of this artform's enduring values with "Death to False Metal."  Evil Strikes Again  in-fucking-deed!

Hear for yourself by streaming   Evil Strikes Again   in its entirety   HERE   at   Hells Headbangers ' Bandcamp, where the album can be preordered. Cover and tracklisting are as follows: