The Duke of Spook is back! Who? Wednesday 13!
Since 2004, Joseph Poole (Bourbon Crow, Gunfire 76, ex-Frankenstein Drag Queens from Planet 13, ex-Murderdolls…) has been developing a horrific universe which is illustrated in 2022 with Horrifier, his ninth solo album.
At his side, we have Roman Surman (guitar), Jack Tankersley (guitar), Troy Doebbler (bass) and Mike Dupke (drums).
The album opens with Severed, an ominous introduction made of dark samples and muffled noises which drives us to Insides Out, a heavy track on which screaming harmonics and vocal parts feed a permanent oppression. Although fairly simple, the rhythmic pattern proves to be very catchy as does Exhume and Devour, the next track, which takes horrific elements from American TV shows, like that strange voice, before letting the jerky riffs come in. You’re So Hideous follows with this mystical and quite groovy atmosphere, while letting the heady lyrics come to life on these federative patterns, then Good Day to Be a Bad Guy lets the tempo accelerate while placing more Old School elements like the pure Punk drum patterns. We also find those catchy backing vocals as well as the melodious choruses before finding the epic but melancholic sounds of Return to Haddonfield, creating a contrast with rocky vocals. Lyrics remain of course anchored in this horrific universe, telling us about a slasher’s actions, then Horrifier, the eponymous track, reveals a new dose of raw sounds, mainly translated by an energetic drumming, accompanied by noisy effects and an efficient vocals. The haunting harmonics come back to life with Hell is Coming, a heady composition complemented by heavy riffs and groovy patterns, then the sound becomes more accessible to the uninitiated on Halfway To The Grave, where the Rock’n’Roll influences take over while keeping saturation. The vocals are also softer, but Christine: Fury in the Night will bring pure rage back to life by telling us the story of this raging car. The album ends with The Other Side, which the musician dedicates to two of his beloved ones, his mother and his former Murderdolls bandmate Joey Jordison, both deceased, with a final poignant composition where an intense voice blends with a striking and impressive instrumental part.
Since the beginning of his career, Wednesday 13 has always been a man well surrounded and very prolific. Without denying the obvious Horror Punk influences, Horrifier also explores Metal, Rock or more melancholic influences to make a catchy compendium of terror.
85/100