SEVEN WITCHES „Amped”

Music: Heavy Metal
Country: USA
Website: http://www.sevenwitches.net/
Duration: 9 songs (40'30″)
Cool Songs: Sunnydale High, Dishonor Killings, West Nile, Red, Be.

I’ve always had a lot of time for Seven Witches. Although their earlier material didn’t quite hit the mark, there was always a hint of something brewing beneath the surface – with main man songwriter/guitarist Jack Frost being the absolute star of the act – It wasn’t until 2003’s crunching ‘Passage to the Other Side’ that we finally saw what this band was capable of. ‘Year of the Witch’ – 2004’s follow up – was just as promising. As far as the classic/trad metal was concerned, Seven Witches were just about as good as anyone.

If there has been one major sticking point with the progress of Seven Witches it has been Jack’s inability to maintain a consistent line-up, nothing more so concerning that the revolving door policy he has going with his vocalists (not to mention the bass players and drummers). Having already been through the likes of predecessors such Bobby Lucas (Overlorde), Wade Black (ex-Crimson Glory) and legend James Rivera (Distant Thunder, ex-Helstar, ex-Destiny’s end) – all stellar vocalist of course – Jack has now turned to ex-Non Fiction/Hades/Watchtower vocalist Alan Tecchio. Throw in bassist Kevin Bolembach (Valkyrie, Non Fiction) and drummer Jeff Curenton and this is virtually a brand new Seven Witches line up.

Noting this, it is perhaps the very reason why ‘Amped’ sounds like a band finding its feet. And for a band that is now six albums into its career, it pains me to say that this isn’t the album I expected. Granted it has the signature “Jack Frost’ sound written all over it, yet the ‘feel’ is a tad different this time around – mainly due to Tecchio’s vocal dramatics and a more concerted effort to stick to a mid-paced rhythm and groove throughout. I’m not sold on the production – the drums lack punch and compared to the crunch that ‘Passage..’ exuded, ‘Amped’ is decidedly sterile and dry in places. Furthermore – and this is the real sticking point with ‘Amped’ – the song writing just doesn’t stack up against the last two albums. Once again, I feel this has more to do with Tecchio’s involvement in trying to find his way around Jack’s music, but also it has a bit to do with ‘Jack Frost’ spreading himself a little too thinly across the multitude of projects he’s involved with. Perhaps this is why ‘Amped’ comes up a tad short in song writing ideas. Musically, ‘Amped’ is really blunt – it hasn’t got the smart melodic groove on previous affairs and lyrically material like ‘GP Fix’ and ‘Fame Gets You Off’ are pretty average. As for the Billy Idol cover of ‘Flesh For Fantasy’ – well, let’s just say Jack’s predilection for cover versions may have gone a little too far this time…

In the end ‘Amped’ comes off a little underdone for my liking. It’s a real hit and miss affair – with only moments like ‘Sunnydale High’ and ‘Dishonor Killings’ really hinting of what this band is capable of. The addition of Alan Tecchio is a good move for Seven Witches, yet it may take (and I hope this is the case) the next album for things to come together in a much more cohesive and stronger manner. Don’t ignore this album if you are a fan of previous efforts, just be prepared to come across something a little different and something that asks for a bit of patience as Seven Witches try to find their way again…

note: 6.5

Tracklist

West Nile
Sunnydale High
Dishonor Killings
GP Fix
Be
Fame Gets You Off
Flesh For Fantasy
Red
Widows and Orphans