SEVEN WITCHES - Passage To The Other Side

Posted: 03/31/03

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Heavy Metal

Released: 04/08/03

Label URL:

Artist URL: www.sevenwitches.net

I've been following Jack Frost's rise to fame since his days in Frost Bite, and it's really nice to see a local boy from humble beginnings get to this level. I can honestly say that no one deserves success more than Jack, as he really is the hardest working man in metal.

With every release Frost has taken himself and his music to greater heights. With 2002's Xiled To Infinity And One, Seven Witches' third release, Jack recruited ex-Crimson Glory vocalist Wade Black, delivering an album that upped the ante for the band. With riffs a plenty, hooks a many, and the scorching vocals of Black, it seemed impossible to imagine a stronger album. But just when everything seemed to be going perfect, Seven Witches lost bassist Billy Mez and shortly after, Wade Black. In true fashion, Frost didn't blink an eye, enlisting Armored Saint bassist Joey Vera and more recently former Helstar/Destiny's End vocalist James Rivera. Despite my belief in Jack, I wasn't sure he could top Xiled, but more importantly, I didn't know if Rivera could meet the standard that was set by Black. Despite the lineup changes and the traumatic passing of his brother, Jack forged forward delivering Passage To The Other Side, his finest, most cohesive work to date.

Passage finds Frost at the top of his game both rhythmically and lead guitar-wise. The entire album is filled with huge, fat riffs and wild, gigantic, rip-roarin' leads that make you want to bang your head like you did when you were sixteen years old listening to metal in your best friend's basement, drinkin' a couple of brewskies. And my lord, Rivera has just blown me away. While he did absolutely nothing for me in Destiny's End, getting lost in their technicality and lack of hookiness,  he shines all the way through this platter. Sounding like Ronnie James Dio on "Dance With The Dead," Rob Halford on "Mental Mesiah" and a man possessed on "Johnny," he has finally lived up to everything I always heard about his ability. His duet with Frost on the epic title track is a major highlight as well.

The Bloody Truth: While Xiled was more diverse, Passage flows from beginning to end, and every single moment is distinct and memorable. Metal does not get better than this, and it's a rarity that material of this quality hits the streets. And as a special treat, fans of the old stuff will love the band's take on Def Leppard's "Wasted." If you want to bang your head with a frenzy, this is the album to buy!