SEVEN WITCHES - Year Of The Witch

Posted: 11/14/04

Reviewed by: Dirt

Category: Heavy Metal

Released: 10/26/04

Label URL:

Artist URL: www.sevenwitches.net

While guitarist Jack Frost has toyed with other bands such as Savatage and Metalium, Seven Witches has been his focus since 1998.  With 2002's Xiled To Infinity And One, the group’s third release, Seven Witches became a full-fledged threat to other artists in the genre.  After that recording, ex-Crimson Glory vocalist Wade Black exited and the future of Seven Witches seemed in jeopardy. Jack  recruited former Helstar/Destiny's End vocalist James Rivera for 2003’s Passage To The Other Side, and continued the metal devastation.  Year Of The Witch is the band’s second album with Rivera at the helm and proves to be another fine release, putting all the European power metal bands to shame.

Upon my first listen, Year Of The Witch did not grab me as quickly as Passage To The Other Side.  But after a few spins, this slab of molten metal proved to be one of the best cd’s that I’ve heard this year.  The first thing that I noticed is that the Witches did not do a cover on this record, something that became a staple of their other releases.  This time, they open with “Metal Asylum,” a pure anthemic scorcher in which the lyrics mention all sorts of metal bands, from Judas Priest to Motorhead to Rose Tattoo.  The coolest part is when classic lines like “Scream for me Long Beach” (originally belted out by Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson) and “Look at all the people out here tonight” (originally heard from Van Halen’s David Lee Roth) are uttered. If this track doesn’t rip the flesh off of your bones nothing will. 

Like a tornado, you’ll feel the blistering power of the title track and the upfront drumming in “Fires Below.”  The high fretted notes and the bounce of the rhythms on “Cities Of The Living” all work together magnificently, while the layered low and high Rivera vocals steal the show.  The highlight for me is the through-and-through 80s headbanging vibe of “If You Were God.”  Rivera’s ability to sing in the lower register on this track, as well as his Halford-esque falsetto on other songs is a real advantage for this band.  Before launching into the mini concept piece “Jacob,” the band delivers a powerful ballad, “Can’t Find My Way.” 

“Jacob” is broken up into eight acts, four of which are spoken parts or intros.  Some of the spoken parts are similar to sections of Queensryche’s Operation: Mindcrime but the overall lyrical direction is totally different.  The actual songs found in the concept piece are musically different than the previous eight songs, finding the Witches in a more power metal vein on three and a bit more ambient on the fourth.  “Jacob” shows Seven Witches’ ability to do different things but some may find it be out of place or take away from the cohesiveness of the overall album.  Aside from that minor complaint, the material is scorching.

The Bloody Truth:  Year Of The Witch may be one of the best productions that I’ve heard in years.  The layering of James Rivera’s multi-dimensional vocals is spectacular and Jack Frost’s fret-burning just makes me want to raise the metal devil horns in pure delight.  While it took me a bit longer to get into this one than Passage To The Other Side, it is now easily one of my favorites of 2004.  It’s almost impossible for me to choose my favorite between Year, Passage, and Xiled because they are all great in their own way.  Seven Witches are heavy metal’s greatest hope.  There’s word of a full scale US tour on the way so keep your fingers crossed.  In the meantime – fork over the cash for this one and bang your head until you are battered and bruised.