Search - Witchcraft :: Firewood

Wow, what a surprise!!!

Brian Baker | Minneapolis, MN USA | 12/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really didn't expect too much from this. The guys look like second hand HIM clones and the label Candlelight, though usually good, is pretty much a black metal label. What a surprise when I put this on! It seemed the Sabbath was reborn! Crunchy, buzzing guitar and bass with lyrics about the devil and suffering...but not "evil". If you're a fan of Sabbath (you'd better be!) check out the samples of this and be blown away. Personal favorites: If Wishes Were Horses and Queen Of Bees."

A crisper second effort.

L Salisbury | Maryland United States | 07/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Their debut last year was made from their demos- the back cover credits even say "Recorded in a basement"! For their second album Witchcraft hired a "real" producer. Now we know what they really sound like. "Firewood" sounds like a Jazzier version of early 70s Doom Rock (not so much Sabbath as BANG) with Neil Young on vocals. Neil Young with a Scandanavian accent! And, much like their s/t debut, the occasional use of flute (and here accoustic guitar) shows their Tull influence. Along with Priest's "Angle of Retrobution", Bloody Mary's "Blood & Roll", and Wednesday 13's "Transilvania 90210" Witchcraft's "Firewood" is one of the best Metal CDs of 05. Hidden track: a cover of Pentagram's "when the screams come"."

Whistling In The Darkness

Hand of Doom | The Wonderful World of Colonized Minds | 10/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every form, offshoot and genre of rock and roll has been rehashed a thousand times over. It's not the notes and arrangements as much as it is what the individual brings to them. Call it chemistry or magic. It's in the heart, not the hands. In part, that's why I've never understood the ballyhooed criticism of "they sound like__________[fill in the blank]and are therefore a ___________knock-off" leveled by many who themselves listen to and laud music that is equally derivative. Everything, including all music, is derivative, hence the point becomes: does the band bring any magic to it?



Witchcraft makes no bones about their retro circa early 70s Black Sabbath, Pentagram[AKA Shades of Darkness]vibe. Sure, there's the unmistakable hue of Budgie and Tull, yet they bring something unique to it.



"No bones" means they don't make any obvious detractions that a lot of bands would in order to avoid unseemly "categorization." The sound of Witchcraft breaks out the double-bubble bong, brings on the heavy, weaves a mystic spell of vintage sounds, Sabbathsaurus riffs and hooks. Good for them. And good for those who groove on that sound because they really know how to deliver the goods.



Admittedly, I don't think their follow up, "Firewood," is quite as remarkable as their s/t, but man, that's nitpicking! It's still heads above most of the 'new' stuff. If you like Witchcraft, make sure to check out[also from Switzerland]the reasonably priced s/t from BURNING SAVIOURS![where's the vinyl?!] Thus far, Amazon isn't carrying it, so you can find it at the All That's Heavy online store, or Brainticket Records. You will not be disappointed!"