Hellride Music - Witchcraft – “Witchcraft” (Rise Above)

Witchcraft – S/T (Rise Above Records)
By Themis Pamfilos
Courtesy of Metal Invader.com
February 1, 2004

Retro is the keyword regarding this band and this release, everything about it revolves about this word! And yes, you guessed right, WITCHCRAFT hail from Sweden. According to the band’s official website the four-piece was formed by guitarist/vocalist Magnus Pelander, who wanted to record a tribute single to his idols Bobby Liebling (PENTAGRAM) and Roky Erickson (founder member of psychedelic pioneers 13th FLOOR ELEVATORS, with a long and strange history). Well, this exactly what WITCHCRAFT are all about; paying tribute to the past. We are not talking about just the usual 70’s influences; they even go heavily back to the 60’s soundwise. From the band’s musical style and sound, to the production and artwork, everything screams “RETRO”! Even the band’s photo in the booklet and their haircuts seem to come from past decades. I hadn’t listened to their debut 7” “No Angel Or Demon”, so this album caught me completely by surprise. Just listen to the bass sound (very up-front in the mix but not “muddy”), the mastering, the vocals (with an effect to sound deliberately low-fi) and you’ll see what I mean! Had I not known it was a new release, I could swear this was an unknown late 60’s-early 70’s band. So I guess the guys at WITCHCRAFT are very successful in what they are trying to achieve. The question is what they can really create this way. If they want to be confined in paying tribute it’s okay, but what will happen in the next album? Another tribute to the same bands?

The influences in their blend of doomy rock with classic 60’s rock, 70’s, blues, and psychedelic elements are countless. As already stated 70’s period PENTAGRAM doomy rock is the strongest one (not only musically but also in the vocals), of course early BLACK SABBATH is present, but also GRAND FUNK, ANIMALS (!!!), JETHRO TULL (just listen to the flute), and even JEFERSON AIRPLANE (!!!!!) crossed my mind at some point. The list could go on an on, but I do not see the point of mentioning bands in order to sound wise. I think you already got what I mean. Personally I have a strong love for the 70’s and I adore Bobby Liebling’s work, so from this aspect I really liked the album, I enjoyed listening to it, and I would buy it if I didn’t have the promo, (an additional reason being that a good cover version of “Please Don’t Forget Me” originally from STONE BUNNY, Liebling’s band before PENTAGRAM, is also included). So if you are also into early vintage PENTAGRAM and enjoy the retro rock sound you will most probably also like it. BUT, on the negative side, I was constantly getting a “this riff is lifted from…” feeling, or a “this reminds me of…” reaction, and this annoyed me. Plus, I do not think it is an album I will be listening to it very often after a couple of weeks; why not listen to the source bands directly? I do not have anything against influences, but the problem is WITCHCRAFT do not add anything at all to those influences, they just mix them cleverly. As a result, this album is more likely a patchwork rather than an original work.

I have difficulty in rating this album. Considering it as the product of a really talented guitarist that wanted to pay tribute to his influences and created a retro sounding album, it is very successful, a really enjoyable listen, and an admirable work, so I would give it a 5 out of 6. On the other hand, judging this album as the debut of a new band, despite the good musicianship and arrangements, it lacks any originality whatsoever, so I would give it a 2 out of 6. Not being able to decide I’ll split the difference and give it a…
3.5/6

Purchase Witchcraft’sself-titled debut at the Hellride Music Superstore

Download a MP3 of The Snake

Visit the Witchcraft website at www.witchcrafthome.com