Witchcraft - Witchcraft
2004 Rise Above

Track Listing:
1. Witchcraft
2. The Snake
3. Please Don't Forget Me
4. Lady Winter
5. What I Am
6. Schyssta Lögner
7. No Angel Or Demon
8. I Want You To Know
9. It's So Easy
10. You Bury Your Head
11. Her Sisters They Were Weak

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Magnus Pelander, John Hoyles
Guitars:  Magnus Pelander, John Hoyles
Bass:  Ola Henriksson
Drums:  Jonas Arnesén

Website:  www.witchcraftathome.com

Scoots' Rating:  A
Average Album Rating:  A

Scoots' Review:
Metal bands have been consciously attempting to recreate the sound of early Black Sabbath since at least the early 80's.  Trouble and St. Vitus were two of the earliest imitators, with acts like Sleep, Electric Wizard, and Goatsnake following in the 90's and 2000's.  Fine bands in their own right, but of all the modern stoner/doom acts who have tried their hands at the retro Sab groove, there is one who stands apart from the pack.  2004 saw the release of Witchcraft's eponymous debut album, a tremendous record that might just as easily have been released in '74.  The vintage sound is THAT authentic.

When I first heard people hyping up this band, I thought it was just that--hype.  The term "Sabbath-influenced" is probably the most overused and completely MISused term in heavy music.  Needless to say, one spin of this monumental album disabused me of any misgivings.  From the swaggering bluesy guitar leads, to the pseudo-occult/fantastic lyrics, to the warm analog production--this is the real shit, son.  Song writing is top notch with great melodic vocals in English, with the exception of "Schyssta Lögner" which is sung in their native Swedish.  The music is not so much in the vein of the slow meandering dirges ("Electric Funeral" for instance), though they do have some slower headbanging moments.  Songs are generally peppier (more stoner than doom for you genre nitpickers); "The Wizard" or "Sweat Leaf" would fit perfectly with their style.

Fans of guitar-driven 70's hard rock should make it a point to seek this album out.  Their 2005 follow-up, Firewood, is equally excellent, though perhaps not quite as heavy as the debut.
Scoots' Rating:  A

Discography (last updated 9.20.05):
Witchcraft - 2004
Firewood - 2005