Customer Reviews

Witch

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you come into this record with preconceived notions, thinking this is a side project of J Mascis and that it will bear any similarities to his solo work with the Fog or Dinosaur jr you will be mistaken. This is a band of it's own, a smoldering entity with a true 70s inspired sound. A mesmerizing cloak of blue cheer and black sabbath-esque tunes, featuring dark enchanted lyrics, and guitar solos to make your head spin right off. Pick this up, turn down the lights, and watch the shadows dance to their evil delight through the witching hour and beyond.

The first time I listened to this album I did not like it. I thought it was a chick singing at first. Then I listened to it again. And again. Then I noticed what was going on with the guitars, that double solo thing like Iommi did on the first Sabbath album. So I started to really dig it. There are some awesome riffs on here. And THEN I listened to it on headphones. Aw, man, if you haven't done that yet, you need to. There is so much going on that you won't pick up otherwise. And make sure it's loud! Nice, jammin' 70s-ish sounding metal here. Give it a few listens and you won't be disappointed.

This is strong. There's something untamed about it. While hearkening back to the seventies tonally, it actually sounds original. While falling into the company of recent stoner/doom works by The Sword and Witchcraft (to name but two), it separates itself from the pack by virtue of dynamic range and killer riffage. Although there are some sonic similarities to Kyuss, the overall compositional approach is looser, freer. Some great psychedelic howling to top it all off. The lyrics are obscure and the vocals semi-Geddy Lee-ish, but that's alright with me. Worth a listen.

Rich in fuzzy texture, w/ a tremendous groove, Witch is heavy w/out being overwrought & distorted w/out being sludge. All the songs have a distinctive feel to them; they don't all sound the same. This band can jolt you w/ a high energy break which seems all the more intense by being offset w/ their slow/mid-tempo stomp riffing. They manage to avoid the cheese factor on the lyrics, always a plus. The build up during the break toward the end of Seer is pure genius, & the guitar solos throughout sound like lightning in slow motion. This, like Vitus & post-Equilibrium Cathedral, is Sabbath worship w/out being Sabbath rip-off, & w/ plenty of originality. Check this cd out.

The recipe here is familiar...Take a heavy dose of Ozzy-era Sabbath...drop a hint of newer doom/stoner/sludge (Kyuss, Sleep)...stir and let bake...and what you get is a batch of Witch. And it tastes delicious. Not everything has to sound new and revolutionary and Witch certainly doesn't. Considering Sabbath, there have been bands who have done things the best, and why not follow the pattern of what works, but take it your own way.

That's what you get here. Witch is definetly one of those bands who will get labelled a Sabbath rip-off, but for those who don't mind that comparison, this is another great stoner rock album. "Seer" and "Changing" are the two standout tracks on a rather short album, but that's not taking anything away from the rest of the tracks, which are all pretty solid. Not the best of this genre, but an enjoyable listen nonetheless.

I can't quite place my finger on it...what it is about this band?...hmmm. It is unique...yet simple. It has a lot of feeling, the drum sound owns, it is beautiful, the songs are well-CRAFTed. I don't want to use the word "catchy" but well, it is. Can't seem to get it out of my player. Why? Don't want to! Can't wait to hear more from this band!

This is the good stuff right here. This album, simply titled WITCH is the breed of classic sharp metal that most bands don't know how to make any more. With this album, the band really puts themselves on par with legendaries like Priest and Sabbath, but with a fresh feel that will make those guys sound like a thing in the past. No offense to them, they are legends,,, but WITCH has taken that old doomy garage metal sound and pumped it up.

If you are into LPs I say you have got to get the wax, there is a rich thunder coming off of the drums in just about every track, that pops right off the record. From the opening seven minute SEEER, it is a perfect backdrop for the soaring guitars. The feel stays the same, but runs into different territory slightly, with the second track being more of a punk single, and the fourth being a spacey mellower--- crucial right? The vocals are strong as well, and not to over the top most songs (we do get a screech or two, but nothing ear splitting)... What is here is just some ultra cool, garage band metal. Solid individual tracks, every song is worthy, and this will definately add a little modern flare to your dusty stoner metal collection. Forget all of those quote/unquote metal acts that cry about how tight their panty hose are! Theres no bitch rock here, this will have you jumping and crashing around the house! Nice and damned LOUD!

This album is one of those gems that is proof that rock is not dead. I have owned it for two years and i am still blown away by its shear power.

These guys got the sound down. If you love Heavy guitars played furiously while a drummer (who usually plays guitar)is trying to keep up while hitting anything in sight as hard as he can while a singer who's mixed so low he's gotta scream(But what a Great voice!)as the bass player hits the right notes like a Geezer Butler then this is definitely for you. If it was now 1969 this would have been in the top ten along with Sabbath and Zeppelin. But it's not and that's too bad!

Ok, it's not the most original thing in the world, that's for sure, but c'mon, J. Mascis just wanted to make a good kick-ass 70's rock band. I personally think he did a great job, and while some tracks seem to ramble a bit too long, there are some fantastic riffs and all-around great performance from Witch. Seer and Rip Van Winkle have always been my favorites, they both have a sweet groove straight out of Pentagram and Blue Cheer, and some of the longer songs have fantastic solos and very memorable riffs. Granted, this isn't the best stoner rock/doom metal album of all time, but still, you should definetly pick it up if you are a fan of the previous bands, Dead Meadow, Kyuss, or just early 70's rock in general. I also reccomend Witchcraft's self titled record if you enjoy this.