April 9, 2003 marks the day that the new Seven Witches cd "Passage To The Otherside" comes out. The cd has been receiving very positive reviews all around the web and is sure to be a metal masterpiece in 2003. They are a really great band who blend power metal with a tradtional metal onslaught. This is killer stuff and is like a meeting of fine power metal combined with Judas Priest Painkiller era. Just read this review for the new cd from BraveWords.com
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
I personally can't wait for this album to be released. I have heard the majority of the stuff on it already and it just annihilates.
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
I personally can't wait for this album to be released. I have heard the majority of the stuff on it already and it just annihilates.
