The NWOTHM is already a category, let’s say, rather nostalgic. Then there is that subset of bands in stylenot to mention tributenot to mention cosplay. So here are these AtticGermans, sort of cover band occult of the Merciful Fate or, in general, of the Diamond King. From whose repertoire they practically take all the solutions. Or rather, musically they are an honest traditional metal band, not very brilliant but solid, German. Then there’s Meister Cagliostro (nice name, by the way) who expertly imitates the voice of dear Kim Petersen. Especially the falsetto. Now, I’ll say it, come on: Mercyful Fate is (was) a crazy band, one of the best ever, one of the coolest bands that ever existed, not just in metal. And King Diamond is an exceptional frontman, capable of truly terrifying you, theatrically, suddenly changing register. But it’s not like the falsettos are my favorite part… Here. I said it. Well, Meister Cagliostro, in order not to run the risk of not sounding like King Diamond enough, stays on falsetto for almost the entire duration of most of the pieces. And I’m a little affected by it.
Anyway, Return of the Witchfinder not bad. I was going to say “he’s not evil,” but theoretically he should be. Even thematically speaking, it’s not like Attic are about daisies and good feelings. Indeed, the concept, overall, seems confirmed by its adherence to the original model. And to say that this is the third album of the German band, so let’s say that certain “penalties”, which are accepted in a debut, become more difficult to understand when the personality should come out. Take i Portraitthree years ago, which also started out rather indebted to the same model, but with At War With None they have reached their maturity. The same cannot be said of Return of the Witchfinder. Not because it’s a bad record. Of course, one song doesn’t stand out from the others, if not really surprise. This is not the point, however. The point is that it sounds like a tribute album by a band that has no ideas of its own, but only draws from other people’s samples. And without even bothering to mix different references. For pure nostalgics. What did you understand. (Lorenzo Centini)
