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55,337 posts since 7/17/2002
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Posted on 9/8/2007 at 8:42:53 AM
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Witchcraft - The AlchemistReview by John Pegoraro (StonerRock.com) Rise Above Records/Candlelight USA Release date: October 23, 2007 Of all the bands out there, the last one I'd suspect of transcending “underground cult” status would be a Swedish group that started off as a Pentagram tribute and whose albums sound as if they were recorded 30 years ago. But here we are with The Alchemist, and with Witchcraft on the cusp of being something more than just another obscure act heralded on internet message boards. Compared to their self titled debut and Firewood, their 2005 sophomore release, The Alchemist is definitely the band's strongest effort. The band's no longer so reliant on Bobby Liebling for inspiration that you feel the need to check the songwriting credits. Sure, I doubt the band will ever be able to fully shake the influence of their elders (“Hey Doctor” is almost scary the way it channels Sabbath so effectively), but they compensate with superior songs that don't fit neatly in the “stoner” or “doom” categories. There's a grace and fluidity to tracks like “Walk Between the Lines,” “If Crimson Was Your Colour” (previously released on the limited edition split of the same name), and the three-part title track, and the band often plays with an almost progressive melody. That comes to a head with “Samaritan Burden,” the fifth song and highlight of The Alchemist. Here the band (vocalist/guitarist Magnus Pelander, guitarist John Hayes, bassist Ola Henriksson, and new drummer Fredrik Jansson) lays into a low simmering groove that's accented by some great guitar accents and an overall masterful push-pull dynamic. With a song like this, you'd expect it to build up and then cut loose with a bombastic outro, but Witchcraft goes the opposite direction, ending in an almost folk-like manner. The interplay between the two guitars is simply beautiful. While The Alchemist retains the band's “If you're gonna do it, do it the old fashioned way” ethos (in Witchcraft's world, “Pro-Tools” means well maintained vintage equipment), it also has the band adding new sounds. “Samaritan Burden” has a brief moment where you can hear the swell of violins (or some similar instrument), the re-recorded “If Crimson Was Your Colour” is accented by Moog, and “Remembered” closes out with a saxophone solo. That last one is probably the only mis-step on the album – it comes off awkward and somewhat out of context with the rest of the material on The Alchemist. It's a minor complaint, and, given the creative stretching done on The Alchemist, a petty one as well. There's some soulful, expressive music here. Witchcraft may be considered a throwback band by some, but they do it better than most. Whether it brings them a wider audience is besides the point – they've grown as musicians and have once again outdone themselves. Highly recommended.
URL: http://www.witchcrafthome.com/
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I`m never going to work another day in my life
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16,046 posts since 4/11/2002
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Posted on 9/8/2007 at 10:39:04 AM
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Nice review, Arz.
Looking forward to hearing this.
Just to add, they definitely have a following that transcends the stonerrock fan base. When they played here (San Fran) last November, I expected the venue to be semi-empty. To my surprise, the place actually sold out. I'm glad I showed up when I did, cause it was a great show. Witchcraft songs sound killer live.
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"LIGHTS OUT, MEATBALL!!!"
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1,031 posts since 9/15/2005
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Posted on 9/8/2007 at 10:40:59 AM
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Although they re-recorded it, I was a bit letdown that “If Crimson Was Your Colour” is on this. I thought it sounded great on the 7" and was supposed to be exclusive to that.
The vocals seem to be a bit more upfront in the mix on this. I've only given it one listen so far and it sounds like it could potentially surpass 'Firewood' as their best work.
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55,337 posts since 7/17/2002
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Posted on 9/8/2007 at 10:48:15 AM
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I'm not sure if I like this version of "If Crimson" more than the original version. At first I didn't, but I've been listening to this album over and over, so now I can't see the forest from the trees no mo'.
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I`m never going to work another day in my life
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4,260 posts since 11/2/2005
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Posted on 9/8/2007 at 2:49:11 PM
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As long as they don't get stuck in a bar in the middle of nowhere and have to watch Solace destroy'm in a Pentagram-off they be ok. Def. tune rather that player/attack based. Luckily they got tunes- but really- if they were fat guys from
Illinois you wouldn't give a shit. Well, "you" (100 SR.commies) might but as far as any legs out there in net-land; nah.
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"some thrash to remember, some thrash to forget".- Kant
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4,260 posts since 11/2/2005
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Posted on 9/9/2007 at 8:00:05 AM
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I like it but something so plainly normal/retro needs tunes and luckily there are a few here-the first cut has the same melodic wiff and stroke used by QOTSA albeit from a dif. branch on the tree. Maybe they'll cover something off the Litters "emerge" rec. or something. Be cooler if they did a Sonic Youth song...
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"some thrash to remember, some thrash to forget".- Kant
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4,995 posts since 4/23/2002
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Posted on 9/10/2007 at 7:27:08 AM
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I'm getting a real nice November vibe from the drum intros on "Leva" & "Samaritan Burden". It's great. I like how the new drummer brings a funky element at times.
Really enjoying this so far. They've expanded their sound, but still remain true to their '70's influences (and I don't just mean Sabbath & Pentagram).
The more I listen, I realize that all the playing
on this is great, the bass, guitar, & drum tones are all killer. The best part is it all varies from song to song. Excellent album.
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All pedigree, no class.
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4,908 posts since 7/12/2007
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Posted on 9/11/2007 at 10:21:39 AM
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When is 'The Alchemist' officially being released? Is anyone else going to see them live,(and at what venue),on their american tour this fall?
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Please, mr. tiger, do not steal my fine new clothes!
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55,337 posts since 7/17/2002
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Posted on 9/11/2007 at 11:54:41 AM
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Release date: October 23, 2007
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I`m never going to work another day in my life
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1,208 posts since 12/15/1999
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Posted on 9/12/2007 at 2:04:49 AM
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Never been a huge fan, but this has been on repeat in my car all weekend. Gotta order the vinyl
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It`s a satanic drug thing so i totally understand!
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13,667 posts since 12/8/2002
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Posted on 9/12/2007 at 5:12:45 AM
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i'ma see them in my hometown of NOrfolk VA.
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17,362 posts since 9/30/2006
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Posted on 9/12/2007 at 11:17:05 PM
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I was so-so on the S/T, the only work of theirs I had heard, but this is a real winner. Great retro feel without seeming trite or played-out. Been listening to it daily.
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The real in us is silent; the acquired is talkative. - Gibran
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14 posts since 9/12/2007
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Posted on 9/15/2007 at 10:53:56 PM
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Whichcraft is aiming for a sounds that they can't quite find. This album sounds just like their last 2 and doesn't seem like they are making too much progress. Maybe this is where they land, but I have heard a bit of what they aiming for once at a live jazz/wiccan show where I thought I was dancing around the fire in some lovecraft novel to a rumplestilskin fury of channeled Terrence Mckenna shoomland. Maybe they don't know it but this is the evil land they aim for. They are building on the little window sabbath opened and others only follow in.
This album definitely satisfies a certain interest and direction but no more than their past efforts.
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2,257 posts since 11/15/2000
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Posted on 9/25/2007 at 6:13:52 PM
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Reading comprehension is a lost art.
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1,516 posts since 7/8/2007
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Posted on 9/26/2007 at 5:44:56 PM
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I spent the extra cash and ordered the Japanese import this morning from ATH because of the bonus track. I hope that bonus track is good.
The only thing bad I can say about the first two albums is that they don't sound as great after you've heard the band live. I've said this many times before on here but these guys are full on heavy metal live. Very heavy!
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into the darkness march the armies of the night
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16,046 posts since 4/11/2002
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Posted on 10/13/2007 at 1:00:25 PM
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Much love for Witchcraft here.
Great cd.
I'm getting a Tool-ish vibe from Samritan Burden. That's a good thing in my book.
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"LIGHTS OUT, MEATBALL!!!"
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1,558 posts since 3/15/2004
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Posted on 10/14/2007 at 1:25:41 PM
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Best yet from them for sure, they seem to have found their sound better, its interesting to listen to and I still love the way the swedes pronounce words in songs
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www.myspace.com/mindzapproductions
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13,667 posts since 12/8/2002
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Posted on 10/14/2007 at 2:04:53 PM
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their show in my town is the same day as the cd is officially released. I wonder if there will be any extra toons played in honor of the occasion.
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300 posts since 4/28/2005
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Posted on 10/22/2007 at 10:17:06 AM
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I just got this on Friday and spun three times over the weekend, so this is just an initial impression. I agree with all of the "transcending their influences" talk. They have definitely moved beyond being a band that sounds like a melting pot of their influences to being able to use those influences as parts of a whole, while crafting their own sound. There are moments here that are totally Witchcraft and void of any traces of the Pentragram and Sabbath influences.
I'm not quite sure yet how I would place this in terms of their discography. Personally, I prefer FIREWOOD right now. I don't hear as much up-tempo on this album, which tend to be some of my favorite Witchcraft moments when they let it rip a little. Also, Magnus seems more reserved and quiet. I love his voice, but he just doesn't let loose and wail much here. I kinda miss that.
My only other complaint would be that it's just 7 tracks, but hell, every album Deep Purple recorded only had 7 tracks.
Don't get me wrong. I love this album right now. This band just continues to grow and mature and they are crafting some artistically beatiful music right now. Maybe my expectations were so high there was no way it could match. I would give it an 8.5, but I was hoping for a 10.
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No, Donnie, these men are nihilists.
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2,257 posts since 11/15/2000
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Posted on 10/22/2007 at 4:41:50 PM
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Reading comprehension is a lost art.
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