1st July 2025

Review: “Doombringer” by What Weapons Bring War

It’s been a long hard road out of hell for Bristol, Connecticut Old School Death Metal quartet What Weapons Bring War. Formed in 2002 they fired their first shot in anger with debut self titled EP via Encrypted Records in the spring of 2003. Two years later a debut album was recorded but for reasons unknown was left waiting in the wings until 2007 with the band going on hiatus in 2008. Seventeen long years later, guitarist and bassist John Porter, guitarist Kameron Masullo, drummer Justin Lanteri and vocalist James Naddeo returned. Wasting no time they recorded “Doombringer” between March and April with Canaan Bilodeau (Burying Point, Delta Protocol) engineering and Masullo mixing at Socratic Audio. Mastered by Kevin Antreassian (The Sawtooth Grin, The Dillinger Escape Plan, No One Knows What The Dead Think) at Backroom Studios, the record serves as a tribute to original bassist Dave Aiken who tragically passed away in 2016.

A revolving door of musicians since day one, establishing a stable line up was always an issue for What Weapons Bring War and the truth is that John Porter is the sole surviving member of the original line up. However on the evidence of this new record, it very much seems as though the guitarist was always the driving force or mastermind behind the project. That’s because there is a certain level of consistency in the sound and ideas between the 2003 record and this one, a clear parallel that lies just beneath the surface.

If you thought that with just three tracks this might be a demo, guess again because title track “Doombringer” roars out of hells gate like a demon on a mission for all out annihilation. A vicious little ditty that will strike fear into the hearts of the weak of mind, this one hits like a building site wrecking ball. Rampaging, thunderous percussion and razor sharp riffage cleave flesh from bone before Naddeo’s throat shredding vocals destroy the ear canals commanding a brain hemorrhage. Clean and crisp, it’s as sharp a return as anyone could want let alone imagine and “Retribution” very much follows suit. Cleverly executed tempo changes build on sinister and menacing atmospherics, the four piece commanding the hordes to do their evil bidding. Naddeo’s death growls are impressive helping make this record feel reminiscent of the work of bands like Skeletal Remains but critically his lyrics aren’t only legable on paper. That’s something that makes all the difference in engaging the listener on this one, especially when “The Tyrant” is all blood and thunder. Stuccato riff breaks and pitch harmonics redecorate the walls as the blast beats keep coming and tonight my sweet, What Weapons Bring War shall go to the ball [8/10]

Track Listing