SEVEN WITCHES „Year of the Witch”

Music: Heavy Metal
Website: www.sevenwitches.net
Duration: 42.01 (14 songs)
Cool songs: Metal Asylum, Year of the Witch, If you were god, Voice of Jacob

Jack Frost’s ‘Seven Witches’ plays straight up ‘heavy fucking metal’ punters. Last years ‘A Passage to the Other Side’ was one of the true ‘classic metal’ albums of the year – it ripped from beginning to end. It smoked with killer riffs, a heavy as lead production – a mean brutal guitar sound and a thumping bass and percussion line. As far as I was concerned this new one, ‘Year of the Witch’ would be just as exciting. And it is!

With this being album No.5 for the band, it is interesting to note that Jack still can’t find a settled line up. Fortunately, he has kept vocalist-extraordinaire James Rivera (ex-Helstar) out front, but has replaced bassist Joey Vera with Dennis Hayes (ex-Winters Bane). Also gone is long time drummer Brian Craig. The kit duties for YOTW were performed by session-player Craig Anderson. However, it is clear that Jack and Rivera represent the core sound of Seven Witches and as such the line up changes don’t upset the overall package delivered here.

The great thing about Jack Frost is his absolute passion for the classic metal sound. He has this uncanny ability to write killer metal riffs and 80’s style anthems without crossing over into ‘cheese/cringe’ territory that some other metal acts suffer from at times (‘Primal Fear’ anyone?).‘Year of the Witch’ continues in the same tradition of ‘Passage..’ – it’s pretty much a metal anthem overload from the get go although there is a twist of sorts at the albums half way mark, where Jack opts for a darker ‘concept’ storyline to round it out. No need to worry much though folks – thematically Jack may be showing his more serious side with this concept idea, but the music still smokes in true JF riff fashion.

Recorded at the Mix-O-Lydian NJ studios, ‘YOTW’ has some great moments – I was initially a little disappointed that it may not be as strong as ‘Passage..’ however with repeated listening, it stands up extremely well. Jack Frost’s penchant for the metal anthem is clearly defined with the opening track ‘Metal Asylum’ – it could have easily appeared on Jack’s solo disc ‘Raise Your Fist to Metal’ such is it’s ‘metal celebration’ theme. This track is lyrically quite clever in its name checking of metal bands and classic ‘stage banter’ references throughout. It’s bordering on cheesy at times, but Jack has the ability to pull it off with an essential touch of cool.

Of course, no Seven Witches disc can be grilled without mentioning the vocal abilities of James Rivera. It seems Jack is happy with the guy also as this is the first album where he hasn’t changed his vocalist. Jack knows that Rivera is something special – he has the classic Halford high pitched scream meets a wicked Mustaine type snarl in the lower register. For emphasizing Jack’s powerful metal anthems, Rivera is simply perfect for the job.

Once again, Seven Witches have delivered. As most of you know, I am a child of the 80’s and that classic metal sound is perhaps my favorite style overall. Jack Frost has a great connection with the same era and his passion and love for the style drips from every part of the record. If you want straight up ball tearing metal, then get on board ‘YOTW’. All hail the Witches!

note: 8.5/10

Tracklist

1.Metal Asylum
2.Year Of The Witch
3.Fires Below
4.Cries Of The Living
5.If You Were God
6.Can’t Find My Way
7.Act 1: Whispers
8.Act 2: Voice Of Jacob
9.Act 3: Mirror To Me
10.Act 4: Haunting Dreams
11.Act 5: Jacob Speaks
12.Act 6: Circles
13.Act 7: The Prophet Is You
14.Act 8: Dream Or Reality