Ragnarokkr 2015: SALEM'S WYCH

[Element_man]

Well yeah, who's not?
Come on this bvand has every thing to give cool underground kvlt people a woody; one album from the mid-80s, on a small indie label, from the U.S., barely anything known about them back then or now. Oh and there is that cool story about their albums being burned. Let's not forget that attempt at a comeback, a true Anvil story there.
Honestly it is not a bad album, I have it myself. But will this band be any good? Have they not been active all these years and just putting something together now for this fest? If that is the case well I would not exspect much myself, but surprises do happen.

I'm sure you're just gonna say someone about playing the "realist" card, but to me it actually sounds like you want this band to suck for some spiteful reason. I mean, come on dude, I figured I was going to have to go to a festival like Keep it True to see crazy weird obscure bands like this, now I have a chance for less than half the price. You're acting like it's a crime to be curious and interested, and, dare I say it, enthusiastic about s. And don't you dare give me any horseshit about me being one of those guys who only cares about old, forgotten bands without giving the time of day to newer groups, because you and I both know that ain't true. I know there are people like that and they're fuckin' weird to me too, but I'm not one of them.

And for the record, I never heard any story about their album being burned or anything. Don't give a shit; just dig the tunes.

 

[Jasonic]

Jeff, don't take Jeremy too serious with his statements.
Afterall, his label has re-issued obscure bands.
He knows there is demand there for it.

It's insane the amount of bands, known as well as extremely obscure, who have careers again after all these years.

Conversely, I know folks have complained about this as well, as it takes away attention from newer bands, and folks worry what's going to happen when all these older bands can no longer play???

I think there is plenty of room for both old and new....
There sure as hell is NO shortage of metal shows, tours, and festivals these days..............

 

[J. Golden]

I'm sure you're just gonna say someone about playing the "realist" card, but to me it actually sounds like you want this band to suck for some spiteful reason. I mean, come on dude, I figured I was going to have to go to a festival like Keep it True to see crazy weird obscure bands like this, now I have a chance for less than half the price. You're acting like it's a crime to be curious and interested, and, dare I say it, enthusiastic about s. And don't you dare give me any horseshit about me being one of those guys who only cares about old, forgotten bands without giving the time of day to newer groups, because you and I both know that ain't true. I know there are people like that and they're fuckin' weird to me too, but I'm not one of them.

And for the record, I never heard any story about their album being burned or anything. Don't give a shit; just dig the tunes.

It is certainly being a realist, I have no reason to be spiteful.

 

[Diabolik]

Yeah, I know what you mean Jeremy,
But let's be honest.
Discovering obscure bands from the 80's is a big part of the current new breed of underground metal fans. The web has made it possible for many bands to have a career again. Without it, more and more bands would go even further deeper into obscurity.

OVerall it is a cool thing, but yeah, it does give rise to a lot of bands performing again who aren't truly ready for it.

I have heard of a lot of bands who reform to play MAJOR festivals even though the majority of members haven't touched their instrument in 15 to 20 years.

Though for Ragnarokkr, it is perfect.
I really like the formula that has been working well the past two years:
- Known headliners (Omen, Oz, Riot, Reaper)
- Chicago classic bands (Winterhawk, Amulance, Tyrants Reign, Slauter X, Damien Thorne, etc)
- Obscure bands (Ashbury, Crowhaven)
- New Blood (Night Demon, Borrowed Time, Axxion, etc, etc)

this is all very true. The mix is always great. I just am never to keen on when the band has a new singer. It is always a gamble to me. Will be curious to hear how they sound now. I am not a huge fan of these guys. Odin has been talking about them for years and I come across them a lot on youtube. I know there are a lot of people that are thrilled they are playing so that works.

 

[J. Golden]

Jeff, don't take Jeremy too serious with his statements.
Afterall, his label has re-issued obscure bands.
He knows there is demand there for it.

It's insane the amount of bands, known as well as extremely obscure, who have careers again after all these years.

Conversely, I know folks have complained about this as well, as it takes away attention from newer bands, and folks worry what's going to happen when all these older bands can no longer play???

I think there is plenty of room for both old and new....
There sure as hell is NO shortage of metal shows, tours, and festivals these days..............

It is just too easy.
Jason I agree with you totally, but I do wonder how far does it go; gotta say the metal underground can bew funny at times.
Now as I have often said, just because a band started a long time ago doesn't mean they are good. I have reissued old "obscure" bands but damn I could be honest about them.
What I find interesting in the metal underground and this is due to the internet of course is how all these bands were never known outside their immediate areas but due to the internet and Europe's interest they exploded, rightfully so I suppose. But I often wonder if the interst is actually for X band or the simple fact that it is some (rare, unknown, underground, obscure, etc). I'm guessing X band has little to do with it.

 

[Diabolik]

It is just too easy.
Jason I agree with you totally, but I do wonder how far does it go; gotta say the metal underground can bew funny at times.
Now as I have often said, just because a band started a long time ago doesn't mean they are good. I have reissued old "obscure" bands but damn I could be honest about them.
What I find interesting in the metal underground and this is due to the internet of course is how all these bands were never known outside their immediate areas but due to the internet and Europe's interest they exploded, rightfully so I suppose. But I often wonder if the interst is actually for X band or the simple fact that it is some (rare, unknown, underground, obscure, etc). I'm guessing X band has little to do with it.

I think it is a little bit of both...some bands who are cult / classic who may be unknown but due to a reissue they gain a fanbase because newer fans may finally be introduced to them finally after decades. If a band is truly good they will still sell and people will have an active interest in them. If it is a flavor of the month no one will care after a few months.

 

[Justin G]

I think it is a little bit of both...some bands who are cult / classic who may be unknown but due to a reissue they gain a fanbase because newer fans may finally be introduced to them finally after decades. If a band is truly good they will still sell and people will have an active interest in them. If it is a flavor of the month no one will care after a few months.

I think Witch Cross is in that first camp. Their reissue seemed to revive them and make people take notice.

 

[Diabolik]

I think Witch Cross is in that first camp. Their reissue seemed to revive them and make people take notice.

Totally.

 

[J. Golden]

Witch Cross had a little more of a status than a band like Salem'ss Wych. Since Witch Cross was actually on Roadrunner they weren't an extremely obscure name.
Did the reissue totally revive the interest? Whileit did not hurt, but did not totally do it.

 

[Diabolik]

Witch Cross had a little more of a status than a band like Salem'ss Wych. Since Witch Cross was actually on Roadrunner they weren't an extremely obscure name.
Did the reissue totally revive the interest? Whileit did not hurt, but did not totally do it.

They were pretty much obscure. No one was ever talking about them. This reissue bought them back from the dead even and playing again and got them to do a new album. So yes....the reissue totally bought ALL interest back for them.

 

[Justin G]

They were pretty much obscure. No one was ever talking about them. This reissue bought them back from the dead even and playing again and got them to do a new album. So yes....the reissue totally bought ALL interest back for them.

That was my experience with them. I had never heard of them prior to that (much like Salem's Wych).

It sort of worked that way with Blacksmith too. Sort of.

 

[Diabolik]

That was my experience with them. I had never heard of them prior to that (much like Salem's Wych).

It sort of worked that way with Blacksmith too. Sort of.

I honestly don't think most did hear of them before the reissue. King Fowley did a CD reissue of it years back but other than that they were never discussed anywhere really. Now you got guys wearing the hooded sweat jackets and stuff.

This works for any band that comes back after a reissue. Aftermath could also be put into that category as well this year. Classic Chicago band...reissue came out last year or so and thanks to a few post on facebook they are reuniting and playing the fest and one other later in the summer of 2015.

 

[J. Golden]

They were pretty much obscure. No one was ever talking about them. This reissue bought them back from the dead even and playing again and got them to do a new album. So yes....the reissue totally bought ALL interest back for them.

My bad, I do forget that the metal world only exist online, so if no one is talking about a band here, or if someone who just got into metal in the last ten years...
Man i have magazines that have ads for Witch Cross. I'm just saying the band was not as unknown as you might think, or not as much as others (Salem's Wych). As I said above being on Roadrunner gave them a bit more profile whatever that was worth.

And it is not like Blacksmith wasn't distributed through one of the largest distributors in the country, wasn't on FOX TV shows, MTV events, part of Concrete Foundation, etc; not that any of this mattered I suppose because it did not launch the band to stardom, BUT I'm sure it gained a bit of attention for them at the time and obviously shows that there was something going on for them.. Oh did I mention the press, Kerrang seemed to know who the band was even if metal expert Justin did not. So I did not dig one up from that deep one might say.
Anyway I'm not trying to boost Blacksmith or Witch Cross's cred, just funny that if the band is not talked about in this nerdy internet world then they must be really unknown or obscure. Well Metallica is not really talked about in this forum.

 

[J. Golden]

I think that when talking about any bands now there needs to be a B.I. (before internet) or A.I. (after internet), there is just a massive perception difference between the two.

 

[J. Golden]

My bad,

 

[Justin G]

Jeremy being Jeremy

I never claimed any expertise. I was only talking about my own experience.

 

[Keir]

I must agree that Witch Cross and Blacksmith are not really the same level of obscurity, but if you talk to your average metalhead they may as well be. I heard about Salem's Wych when I first got into rare records almost 10 years ago. It was a few years before I actually got to hear them and while I like Betrayer Of Kings, it was not good enough to make me hunt it down. However, I appreciate the effort that went into getting them to play Ragnarokkr and the passion and excitement other people have for them. I imagine it's kind of how I felt about seeing Ashbury, or how I would feel if the Canadian band Breaker reunited to play the festival (for example).

Now, as I said, I do like the album and am looking to seeing them, partly for the music and partly for the mystique of seeing a mostly unknown band resurrected from the 80s whom I never thought I would ever be able to see. Maybe they will suck like Axemaster or Crowhaven, or maybe they will be awesome like Black Death or Tyrant's Reign. Only time will tell.

 

[Element_man]

Canadian band Breaker reunited to play the festival (for example).

This is totally off-topic but this band is from a city 3 hours from me. I got to meet one of the guys once at a record shop. I'm not a huge fan of the EP though, I prefer Zion's Abyss (who are from my city)

Jeremy: I didn't mean to come off like an asshole or anything but sometimes the way you word your posts makes it sound like you've got an axe to grind

 

[SteelFireRecs]

Now you got guys wearing the hooded sweat jackets.

Why are you dragging me into this?

 

[Diabolik]

Why are you dragging me into this?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. you were very stylish in it last weekend.