Search - Hellion :: The Witching Hour

Lost Metal Masterpiece

HeidiKakes | NY | 08/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ann Boleyn, the self-proclaimed "Queen of Hell" has traveled back from the flaming pits to battle the Gods of Heavy Metal one more time on Hellion's EP Witching Hour. The four tracks are made up mostly of demos but still feature oustanding sound quality and album content.



During their heyday, Hellino was one of the few female-fronted metal bands, and this not only made them unique, but definite eye candy. However, Boleyn was not just a sexy gimmick to sell more albums and tickets, but actually a trained metal vocalist. She was perhaps one of the best metal performers, male or female. THe intensity of her scortched vocals and bloodcurdling screams made her a hot commodity during hte late eighties and early nineties. She proved not only that beautiful women were capable of being successful in a genre dominated by men, but also was a role model to many future female singers who aspired to be more than just dancers in Motley Crue videos.



The album stats off with the title track, and is very reminiscent of early-Dio classics, Holy Diver and THe Last in Line. Boleyn's trademark rapturous, painful cries come roaring out like a rabid female lion. The backing music accomodates Boleyn's vocals perfectly and makes "Witching Hour" an eerily, hypnotic five-minute icebreaker.



All of the tracks are memorable and distinctive while not losing their trademark Hellino charm. Besdies Boleyn, all of the other bandmates are also well-traiend musicians and demonstrate their talent to the full extent on Witching Hour. In the new century, a younger generation of female-fronted extreme bands has emerged with bands such as Arch Enemy, Sinister and Opera IX in the forefront, but none can compare to Anne Boleyn and company. Metal just doesn't get this good anymore."

WHAT A GREAT BAND

kissmania | USA | 08/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I LOVE THIS EP;THE FIRST TWO TRACKS ARE ADDICTIVE,ANNS VOCALS ARE HYPNOTIC AND THE MUSCIANSHIP IS TOP NOTCH;A GREAT CD FROM A GREAT BAND;ALSO GET SCREAMS IN THE NIGHT CD;ITS KIND A LIKE A COMPANION TO THIS CD;THE MATERIAL ON WITCHING CD IS ABOUT THE SAME TIME THEY RELEASED SCREAMS CD;SO THEY BOTH HAVE THE SAME VIBE;BUY BOTH YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED."

Witching Hour

stormenchanted | ohio, USA | 06/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Great....makes you feel the power within. Very hypnotic to listen too."