Band : Hooded Priest
Album title : Devil Worship Reckoning
Label : EmanesMetal
Distributor : /
Release date : 2010
Review : CD

I've made many personal associations while listening to this Dutch/ Belgian collaboration (unborn on  6.6.2006-666) and the comparisons to Priest, Witchfinder General, Pagan Altar, Candlemass, Diamond Head, Count Raven and of course Black Sabbath are more than favourable.

The NWOBHM influence is loud and clear, but never derrative . The music is deeply rooted in a ‘70/ ‘80s metal groove and it shines through songs of every size, shape and speed.  Hooded Priest does the throb-tempo grooves as Witchfinder General or Witchfynde but they're versatile enough to pick up the pace when necessary. The album is filled with diversity, swirling hooks that grab you by the balls, catchy choruses, swinging rhythms, groovy furious axe work, and do I hear some Mercyful Fate in there on “Hooded Priest Pt I & II” and “Well Worth The Dig”. In my opinion, one of the stronger features are the vocal parts by Witchsmeller Pursuivant druid Luther Veldmark that guide all the songs into the infernal gateways of Hooded Priest .

If you consider yourself a fan of doom metal in the original sense, do yourself a favor and buy this record.

88/100

Cosmicmasseur.