In the ever-shifting landscape of extreme metal, it’s rare for a release to cut through the noise and instantly command the attention of both the underground and the mainstream. King’s Hammer’s debut EP, To Speak In Tongues, does exactly that. Dropping June 13, 2025 via Rottweiler Records and Broken Curfew Records, the project is the brainchild of Chuck Weatherman — a name already familiar to fans of Richmond’s thrash scene thanks to his work in Shovelhead A.D. Here, Weatherman steps into a new dimension, forging a spiritual and artistic statement that’s as bold as it is brutal.
This isn’t just another record. This is liturgy in blast beats.
For years, Chuck Weatherman was a fixture in the Richmond metal scene, mostly as the guitarist and vocalist for Shovelhead A.D., a band known for its whip-crack thrash and churning grooves. But King’s Hammer isn’t just a side-project. It’s a one-man revelation — a vehicle for exploring what can’t be said with words alone. On To Speak In Tongues, Chuck plays everything himself, from the teeth-rattling guitar riffs to the guttural vocals and relentless drums. Final mastering was entrusted to Seth Metoyer (Mangled Carpenter, Pulpit Vomit), ensuring that every decibel hits with surgical precision and raw intensity.
To Speak In Tongues is structured like a spiritual pilgrimage — each track a step deeper into inner transformation. From the opening blast of “The War in Heaven,” through the furious “Vehement Zeal” and the unrelenting “Wrath Descends,” all the way to the scorched-earth finale of “Crusade IX” and the haunting, ecstatic climax of “Witches Bvrn,” the EP traces a path through divine fury and personal Armageddon. The lyrics draw inspiration from apocryphal scriptures, the Bible, and mysticism, forging a narrative about transformation — not just physical, but spiritual. “It’s an album about change,” Chuck says. “Not just of the body, but of the soul”.
King’s Hammer doesn’t go for stylistic revolution — it’s death metal distilled to its pure, savage essence, but with a sense of purpose that cuts deeper than most. The riffs hit like hammer blows, the drum programming is ritualistically tight, and the vocals sound like a descent into the abyss. There’s a sense of controlled chaos, each track building on the last, drawing the listener into a vortex of faith, doubt, and rage. The production — mixed by Chuck, mastered by Seth Metoyer — is raw but deliberate, trading polish for power. The closing minutes of “Witches Bvrn” are particularly striking, as the sonic violence gives way to something close to mystical ecstasy.
Tracklist:
- The War in Heaven (3:34)
- Vehement Zeal (3:15)
- Wrath Descends (2:36)
- Crusade IX (3:52)
- Witches Bvrn (4:13)
Each song forms a chapter in this apocalyptic gospel, unspooling a narrative that’s as much about self-destruction as it is about spiritual rebirth.
The release of To Speak In Tongues has sparked intense debate within the metal community. Old-school fans praise its unflinching brutality, while more open-minded listeners are drawn to its conceptual depth and overtly religious themes. The latter has proven controversial — Christian death metal has always been a paradox, marrying a genre notorious for blasphemy and nihilism to messages of faith and apocalypse. Yet, no one can ignore the power of King’s Hammer’s vision. “With the addition of a commanding vocal presence and a deliciously grim sonic palette, ‘To Speak In Tongues’ offers an unrelenting yet thoughtful assault,” wrote one reviewer. Chuck Weatherman hasn’t just made music — he’s made a space for dialogue about faith, anger, and transformation itself.
The dual powerhouse of Rottweiler Records and Broken Curfew Records has thrown its weight behind King’s Hammer, ensuring the EP’s visibility in both the Christian and extreme metal scenes. It’s a testament to the labels’ belief that even the heaviest music can carry a mission, a message, and a sense of purpose.
To Speak In Tongues is more than an EP. It’s a gauntlet thrown at the feet of both metal traditionalists and the faithful, daring both to confront the shadows and the light within themselves. For Chuck Weatherman, it’s a work of confession and confrontation, a journey through fury, faith, and the hope of transcendence. In a genre where violence is often an end in itself, King’s Hammer uses brutality as a means — a way to crack open the heart and let the spirit howl. This is death metal as revelation and apocalypse, and it’s only the beginning.
- The War In Heaven: Opens with thunderous, martial riffs — a nod to classic death metal but with a spiritual edge. Lyricism draws on apocalyptic imagery, weaving in references from Revelation and extra-biblical texts.
- Vehement Zeal: A furious blast, both musically and lyrically, about conviction in the face of darkness. Chuck’s vocal delivery is raw; the lyrics (“Loneliness is my bride / Without it then I would die…”) are poetic and haunted.
- Wrath Descends: The shortest and most intense track, channeling the chaos of spiritual warfare. The drumming is relentless, while the guitars veer between groove and grind.
- Crusade IX: A mid-EP centerpiece, thematically about the endless cycles of holy war — both personal and historical.
- Witches Bvrn: The closer, where the brutality reaches a fever pitch before dissolving into an almost trance-like outro — a musical depiction of martyrdom and transcendence.
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Bandcamp: kingshammerbcr.bandcamp.com
Label: rottweilerrecords.com | facebook.com/brokencurfewrecords
To Speak in Tongues by King's Hammer