Metal heads get ready as Jack Frost and company plan to release the new Seven Witches album this Tuesday April 8. The album is titled "Passage To The Otherside" and has been getting rave reviews everywhere. The album has a strong power metal feel to it that crashes with the sounds of Judas Priest during their "Painkiller" era. I have heard alot of stuff off this album and it is nothing short of amazing.
Here is a review of the cd from BraveWords.com by Mark Gromen....
Second offering under Noise/Sanctuary, but fourth overall, Seven Witches bear little resemblance to what has come before. Yes, Jack Frost is still running the show, backed by the killer rhythm section of Joey Vera (Armored Saint/Engine/Fates Warning) and drummer Brian Craig (Destiny's End), but the enlistment of James Rivera (Helstar/Destiny's End) has solidified the revolving door at vocals. Despite nearly two decades in the metal spotlight, Rivera's debut with Witches will open more than a few eyes and ears. The gradually building opener, 'Dance With The Dead', with its Halford inspired chorus, smacks the listener in the face. Frost's staccato, modern solos smoke, without betraying his classic metal upbringing. 'Metal Messiah' is a deadringer for a Painkiller outtake, down to Rivera's enunciation (he did front a Priest tribute band). Blows away anything from last two discs by the band (JP) itself. 'Apocalyptic Dreams' feels like old Annihilator, ditto the crunchy guitar introduced 'Fever In The City', apart from the chorus. On a completely different tack is the cover of Def Leppard's 'Wasted', with Frost handling vocals, while 'Betrayed' hints at what the guitarist might have been able to add to Savatage, had he been given the chance. Almost every track has the accelerator floored, the brooding, epic finale of a title track being an exception. A much for varied menu than Xiled To Infinity And One, taste what the Witches are cooking up.
8.5 Mark Gromen
Be sure to pick up "Passage To The Otherside" by Seven Witches on Tuesday.
Here is a review of the cd from BraveWords.com by Mark Gromen....
Second offering under Noise/Sanctuary, but fourth overall, Seven Witches bear little resemblance to what has come before. Yes, Jack Frost is still running the show, backed by the killer rhythm section of Joey Vera (Armored Saint/Engine/Fates Warning) and drummer Brian Craig (Destiny's End), but the enlistment of James Rivera (Helstar/Destiny's End) has solidified the revolving door at vocals. Despite nearly two decades in the metal spotlight, Rivera's debut with Witches will open more than a few eyes and ears. The gradually building opener, 'Dance With The Dead', with its Halford inspired chorus, smacks the listener in the face. Frost's staccato, modern solos smoke, without betraying his classic metal upbringing. 'Metal Messiah' is a deadringer for a Painkiller outtake, down to Rivera's enunciation (he did front a Priest tribute band). Blows away anything from last two discs by the band (JP) itself. 'Apocalyptic Dreams' feels like old Annihilator, ditto the crunchy guitar introduced 'Fever In The City', apart from the chorus. On a completely different tack is the cover of Def Leppard's 'Wasted', with Frost handling vocals, while 'Betrayed' hints at what the guitarist might have been able to add to Savatage, had he been given the chance. Almost every track has the accelerator floored, the brooding, epic finale of a title track being an exception. A much for varied menu than Xiled To Infinity And One, taste what the Witches are cooking up.
8.5 Mark Gromen
Be sure to pick up "Passage To The Otherside" by Seven Witches on Tuesday.
