Ah, Dwid, where have you been hiding your mischievous and malevolent musical vehicle Integrity for the last five years? Ever since 2003's To Die For, Integrity's absence hangs over the hardcore scene like a looming spectre waiting to strike down pretenders and infidels alike. Sure the usual re-issues of Integrity's back catalog and singles as well as live records continue to stream out and taunt people at somewhat erratic intervals, but many still clamor for new material. Well, Walpurgisnacht is a teaser single that may or may not foretell what can be expected of the next Integrity album (The Blackest Curse is due sometime on Deathwish Inc); the two songs on this 7" are wickedly grinning appetite whetters that only heighten anticipation for the next album from Dwid and his accomplices.
The title track of this little piece of wax is over four minutes of the metal tinged hardcore which Integrity is known for producing, and still, "Walpurgisnacht" contains wailing guitar leads, furious riffing, brutish rhythms, and of course the vicious vocal stylings of Dwid (in top form too). And while the band may be a completely new set of musicians, there is a great deal of similarity with the classic Integrity era (with the Melnick brothers and Frank Novinec). The b-side of Walpurgisnacht, "Mirror in Reverse", simply continues to provide similarities to earlier records by the group (the use of audio samples during songs also rears its head) while maybe kicking some of that viciousness up a notch (the double bass pummeling into the strong downbeat rhythm could possibly be responsible). The raw recording quality grants this single quite a distinct and desperate feel as well as a more powerful overall sound; although, a bit more bass might benefit it, the production is wholly fitting.
Quite frankly, this little record still destroys 99% of what passes for hardcore nowadays (call me a stodgy old man for all I care). And while I can admit my initial wariness for what their next album would sound like, Walpurgisnacht allays much of my initial trepidation and surely makes for additional excitement and anticipation for the next record. Fans of Integrity will most definitely not be disappointed. This 7" is limited; so if you are interested in grabbing it, do so before they are all gone.
