EP Review: Foul Body Autopsy – The Discovery of Witches (Self Released)

Tom Reynolds’ Foul Body Autopsy is back with a brand new two track EP titled The Discovery Of Witches due to be released independently on the 31st of October 2024.

After the bravely experimental Shadows Without Light trilogy and the back to the roots horror and aggression of Crucifix Dreams, Tom Reynolds’ Foul Body Autopsy is back, with another fresh twist on his precision riff attack.

The Discovery Of Witches is inspired by two infamous witch trials that took place in Tom’s hometown of Leicester, a century apart. In 1616, due to the false testimony of a young boy, fifteen women were arrested. Nine were hung for crimes of wicked sorcery, another died in jail while the remaining five were released due to the intervention of King James I – to whom the boy admitted his lies. In 1717 Jane Clark and her two children were accused of witchcraft by their fellow villagers and subjected to an ordeal by water – the fact that they didn’t drown when cast into the village pond, condemning them.

Condemned by the words of a child; the cruel pretence of a boy whose vindictive mischief making spread like plague through the tarnished hearts of those so hungry for scandal and persecution – so excited by the prospect of the torture and death of people that, just days before, they considered neighbours, even friends. In these damned times the devil walks not in the homespun dresses of women named witches, nor dances in our night time woods in accordance with licentious and lecherous fantasies. He lives in the hearts of the profiteering Witchfinder and the self important judges, in the fear of the ignorant and the perverted piety of priests.

Foul Body Autopsy is the project of Tom Reynolds who looks after guitars and vocals with Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth, Scarve, Cobra the Impaler etc..) on drums and Linus Klausenitzer (Alkaloid, ex-Obscura, Obsidious etc..) on bass. While all three musicians worked in their home studios in England, the US and Germany respectively, Tom’s vocals were captured at Parlour Studios (The Haunted, At The Gates, Napalm Death) and The Discovery Of Witches was mastered by Stephen Kerrison (The Grudge, Remote Viewing).

As mentioned, The Discovery Of Witches has two tracks and two specific subjects to tackle. The first track is titled The Rough Rope And The Short Drop and explores the 1616 hangings. Its a hard hitting track with all the components you expect. Heavy rolling drums combine with the guitar and bass. The guitars and bass combine really nicely and it’s always good to hear a bass so prominent in a song. The punch of riffs will get your headbanging and the vocals hit with fire and passion. The different tones of harsh vocals keep a fresh feeling and the flow of lyrics sits really well int he riffs. The drums provide the real meat and heaviness though with some really impressive work while the melody comes through the guitar notes and has a considered feel suitable for the tragic and violent subject matter.

The Ordeal By Water explores the 1717 horror pushed upon Jane Clark and her two children. It’s another aggressive track, doing a good job of portraying the subject tastefully but without holding back. There is a strong rhythmic punch with a neat riff and some more impressive drum and bass work. The vocals stay harsh, of course, but still move between tones, and sit really nicely in around the riffs. It’s a headbanger, again with a simple but effective rhythm that just demands you work those neck muscles. I love the little bass moments where it is left isolated and the change up near the end is awesome. A sudden stop and start and the melodic side takes prominence delivering a slab of groove with the drums, bass and guitars all combining gloriously.

It’s all over so quickly though. Normally when an EP comes with just a track or two, you kind of expect them to be 10 minutes plus but here we have less then 6 minutes in total length. That only becomes an issue because it is so good that you just find yourself wanting more. They are two tracks that tick a lot of boxes. Tastefully exploring two terrible chapters in human history, the songs are angry and should be. They flow really well, and you wouldn’t think for a second these are pieced together by talented artists in completely separate locations. They sound unified and have been well produced, mixed and mastered. A their core, they are just really strong melodeath tracks though. Not game changing, just damn good metal.

The The Discovery of Witches will be available digitally and for the first time for Foul Body Autopsy, on limited edition lathe cut vinyl. Set to be released on the most appropriate date of October 31st, The Discovery Of Witches is another essential addition to the Foul Body Autopsy canon.

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