The Final Witness – Beneath the Altar
Release Date: 15th August 2025
Label: Rottweiler Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Thrash, Death Metal, Metalcore.
FFO: Sadus, White Stones, Coroner, Moonloop, Lamb of God, The Showdown, Becoming the Archetype.
Review By: Eric Wilt
When I review an album, I like to give it a few listens before I read the promotional material that comes with new releases. As I was listening to Beneath the Altar by Final Witness, the solo project of Josh Henderson, I was reminded of early Becoming the Archetype. When I read the promotional material, I discovered that there was a good reason for this. It turns out Jason Wisdom of Becoming the Archetype produced the album, and sonically, it has his fingerprints all over it.
While The Final Witness is said to be a progressive thrash/death metal band, when you get right down to it, Beneath the Altar is a metalcore album. I have no doubt that Henderson has been influenced by progressive thrash/death metal, but if I had to compare The Final Witness to other bands, I would say the music on the album most closely resembles Lamb of God and The Showdown. The southern-fried The Showdown influence can be heard in places, like in the Texas flavored riff that begins near the 40-second mark of the song Principalities. The Lamb of God influence pervades the whole album, especially with the vocals, which sound a lot like Randy Blythe.
The album does have some surprises. For instance, the title track contains a dance section that you would think would clash with the rest of the metal music, but which fits remarkably well. But for the most part, you are getting anything that I would call “progressive.”
Thematically, Beneath the Altar is a Christian record. I can’t understand all of the lyrics, but there is no doubt that Henderson’s beliefs have colored the album’s lyrical content.
One thing that needs to be mentioned is Henderson’s ability to play all of the instruments so well. Everything is played with precision, and the guitar solos are probably the best part of the album.
Beneath the Altar is a good album, one that I’m sure I will revisit from time to time. If Christian metal is your thing, I definitely recommend you give it a spin or two.
(3 / 5)
