Style: Progressive metal, sludge metal (mixed vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Mastodon, Baroness, Khemmis, Spirit Adrift
Country: United States (Washington)
Release date: 10 April 2026

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As we approach twenty-four years since Mastodon debuted with Leviathan, a generation has been raised with the Georgia-based sludge and progressive metal as their life’s soundtrack. The impact that the four-piece has had on modern progressive rock and metal is undeniable, inspiring throngs of bands to follow their prehistoric footsteps. Seattleites Witch Ripper, apparent natives of Blood Mountain, seek to emerge from the pack in their third full-length release Through the Hourglass. In doing so, will they create a unique voice in progressive metal or blend in with the surrounding pack?

Through the Hourglass is chock full of harmonious guitar hooks and grooves, with soaring vocal melodies from guitarists Curtis Parker and Chad Fox and Fox’s vocals. Alongside the downtuned rumbling of the rhythm section, Witch Ripper reverberate with a velvety rich, sludgy resonance. Earworms, like the chorus of “The Portal” and guitar harmonies of “Symmetry of the Hourglass”, penetrate deep into the listener’s parietal cortex, calling out long after the album concludes. Drummer Joe Eck is a wizard behind the kit, concocting steady grooves that swirl into double bass and tom-filled intensity to effectively build tension. The similarity of Fox’s singing to Mastodon’s Brann Dailor vocal tone is undeniable—while Parker’s alternating gruff, harsh vocals closely emulate Troy Sanders’ howl. With the near-identical imitation of their idols, Witch Ripper struggle to step clear of Mastodon’s sweeping shadow.

The opening half of Through the Hourglass, following the ephemeral “Odyssey in Retrograde”, delivers high energy, engaging bangers. “The Portal” and “Symmetry of the Hourglass” glide along fluidly, shifting between course, sludge verses with uplifting, catchy choruses. Transitions between sections are seamless, as riffs naturally evolve and progress instead of being stitched together. While guitar solos serve the greater purpose of the song, adding additional layers of  melody, elevating Witch Ripper’s dynamic range. The burly stomping of “Echoes and Dust” slows things down without diminishing intensity or effectiveness. Instrumental sections are often characterized by riffs that wander up the fret board, in a two steps forward, one step backward approach—erupting into a harmonious celebration after breaking free from the low end.

While an emphatic “hell ya!” characterizes the earlier songs, the album closes with a bit of a yawn, as the latter half of Through the Hourglass, following “Echoes and Dust” suffers from a less energetic pace. Witch Ripper swap their infectious hooks for proggier elements in “The Clock Queen”, “Proxima Centauri”, and  “The Spiral Eye”, each with prolonged acoustic passages and more expansive song structures. Slower tempos, in combination with song lengths averaging over eight minutes, cause the back end of the album to drag. Perhaps alternating the high-energy with subdued tracks would have been a more effective and engaging listening experience. That’s not to say these tracks are devoid of high points. The slow distorted guitar melody in the midpoint of “Proxima Centauri”, and the transcendent chorus of “The Clock Queen” add peaks to the subdued progressive valley.

Once More ‘Round the Sun-era Mastodon fans will likely find Through the Hourglass nearly impossible not to enjoy. Though Witch Ripper’s impact and ceiling are limited by imitation, their sludgy hooks, harmonies, and grooves satisfy. Hopefully with time Witch Ripper will develop their own unique voice; if so, there’s promise they could break free of the pack with something truly special.

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Recommended tracks: The Portal, Symmetry of the Hourglass, The Clock Queen
You may also like: Anciients, Dvne, Desert Storm, Boss Keloid
Final verdict: 6.5/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

Label: Magnetic Eye Records

Witch Ripper is:
– Curtis Parker (vocals, guitars)
– Chad fox (vocals, guitars)
– Brian Kim (bass, vocals)
– Joe Eck (drums)
With guests:
– Irene Barber – vocals on The Spiral Eye