Witchcraft - Firewood (Rise Above Records)
By Themis Pamfilos
May 21, 2005


When the s/t debut album of this Swedish band came out, slightly more than a year ago, I belonged in the minority that liked the album but was not thrilled by it. I just couldn’t understand all the hype about them. After listening to their new sophomore offering, entitled “Firewood”, my reactions are similar.

The musical style of the band remains the same, retro classic rock, heavy rock, at times even doomy, at others psychedelic. The influences are really countless, all sourcing from the very early 70’s, such as ATOMIC ROOSTER to FREE, but the strongest ones probably are 70’s-era PENTAGRAM, and JETHRO TULL. In that aspect, WITCHCRAFT are successful, if this was not released on CD format nothing would hint that this is a 2005 release. Plus, they are really successful in their influence blending, and all in all this is an interesting tribute to the rock and heavy rock sound of the 70’s. But what beyond that? Is it possible to release today an album that will capture the feeling of the original sound of that era? I don’t think so, in the same way that you can’t come up with a NWOBHM album today and sound genuine. There are no time machines, and accordingly such releases will always be compared to the time period they try to recreate; and that’s where the problem really lies, because if you compare “Firewood” to the MONUMENTAL 70’s output of PENTAGRAM or JETHRO TULL the result is obviously not in WITCHCRAFT’s favour. So why attempt it in the first place if you don’t plan to leave your personal stamp?

Don’t get me wrong, the album is certainly a good one, all songs range from interesting to very good, it indeed is a pleasant listen throughout, and the overall effort worthy. It’s just that even if you have the best of influences you still need to add something personal beyond mixing those influences, otherwise what your contribution really is? Right or wrong that is my view, and this prevents me from hailing this release as a great one. You see, the album itself forces me to compare it with classic releases of some of my all-time favourite bands, and it just can’t measure up.

As it was also the case with the debut, "Firewood" includes a cover song, and it is none other than PENTAGRAM's masterpiece "When The Screams Come". Excellent choice as a cover, although it can't be compared to the authentic ones, (and especially the much heavier "Day of Reckoning" version, which I prefer over the older one that was included in the "First Daze Here" compilation). Still, for me that was the album's highlight.

In summary, if you hailed their debut as a masterpiece you’ll do the same with “Firewood” as there only minor differences to it soundwise and songwise. Accordingly, if you weren’t impressed with their debut it is unlikely that this will change you opinion.

3.5/6

__________________
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Heavy Metal re mounia!

Doomcifer

New album by Witchcraft?! BUNG! Gimme!

Uncle Salty

When does it come out in the US?

Sir Lord Doom

Ich Brauch Das, Das Ist Ja Geil!!!!

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I’m hungry, weary, but I cannot lay me downThe rain comes, dreary, but there’s no shelter I have foundIt will be a long time till I find my abodeHere I am on man’s road, walking man’s road

smoke demon

can't wait til this is out! hope there's a tour following the album as well! and please visit nuernberg then!!!

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EARTH FLIGHT - New wave of german Krautrock
LOW FREQUENCY ASSAULTS - Doom/Sludge/Stoner gigs in Nuernberg/Germany
EXCORIATE - Raw & dirty old school Death Metal

BOSWELL

I'm with you on this one Themis. I will buy it, but it sounds like that after a few very enjoyable spins, the novelty will wear off and I will be less impressed than I was at first.

winoguy

I'd have to give the debut at least a 4.5 out of 6. Can't wait to hear this Pentagram cover.

I'm sure Chris will have it in stock and it's a June release for the UK.

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PETE

http://www.myspace.com/doommetalpatches

Anyone interested in trading cdrs email me at peterlugo6@comcast.net I have around 3100 titles of doom, NWOBHM, thrash, hardcore, grindcore, black, death, 70's, classic, sludge, stoner etc.

The DOOMED one

An underrated review for sure and I have not even heard the album. With so much crappy music out there (Brittany Spears, rap crap, country, ect, ect.) a band like Witchcraft, who goes against not only mainstream music, but mainstream metal and even further, you have to give them credit not only for doing their own thing but writing excellent songs and putting out a classic of a debue album. If I want to hear something that sounds new, I'll buy the new Judas Priest CD. I'm caught in a time warp and I was born too late.

burningsaviours

I agree with you. We know the guys and we are from same city and we are doing the same thing as them we experience the born to late syndrome aswell

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WHYTE ASH
Metal from Örebro - Sweden
www.whyteash.com
www.myspace.com/whyteash

Debut album out in March on
Denomination/Recordheaven

theminio

That makes sense. Do you often decide on an album before listening to it?

I hadn't figured out that Witchcraft lead the crusade against rap music (should I have compared them to RUN DMC?), neither I knew they are the ones opposing trends in mainstream metal, thanks for pointing that out, I'll jot it down.


Seriously now, I have nothing against the band, in fact as I write in my review I like both releases, and if you read carefully it is a positive review. I just don't think they are anything special. I think my point was clear, when you try to recreate (read RECREATE not just being infuenced) a past era you can't avoid comparisons with it. Finally, I would not call Witchcraft heavy metal.

__________________
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Heavy Metal re mounia!

Widget

Worst comment ever. More power to you.

The DOOMED one

Ok, no need to get defensive, but after listening to doom for the past twenty years (I'm an old fart) and seeing some of the greatest bands and musicians on earth not get the recognition they deserve I'm quite fond of any band that goes against the mainstream. (Even a bad doom band is a good one in my books) And yes, my intuition tells me (along with your review, which was quite good) that this will be another classic, alongside the new Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, and Reverend Bizarre CD's comming out this year.

Doom out.

verminjones

So, is the Pentagram cover a vinyl only bonus track? There's a press release on blabbermouth today about the album, but "When the Screams Come" isn't listed. Anyway, I like dthe last album, and I'm looking forward to this.

The album cover looks a lot like Bang's Mother/Bow To The King, though.

Goatpimp

The last album was good but it does seem like any talented band could imitate that type of sound if they really wanted but no one does because its been done before and better. I have noticed that girls seem to appreciate this type of music, but they don't appreciate Boltthrower as much as they should