With their third album, The Alchemist, Sweden’s Witchcraft finally achieves what they have always threatened. Here is an album that sees them move away from the generic “Doom-Rock” tag into something much more vibrant and worthy.
If Wolfmother were hip for the kids and their bearded, balding dads last year, Witchcraft was the band hiding in the cave, refusing to come out until the right time. That time is indeed now for a band whose cool is so natural and non-contrived, it simply cannot be ignored any longer.
Already heralded as a major player in the somewhat booming, if oddly named, American “Hipster Metal” scene, these young 70’s rock influenced kids from Orebro, Sweden, live and breathe the grooves they create. Aside from making big waves in the underground, Witchcraft have also garnered the attention of some of the rock and metal world1s leading figures, including big supporter Phil Anselmo, who has proudly proclaimed them as being his “new favorite band”.
Recorded 100% pro-tools and digital free, The Alchemist shows a group of musicians at ease with their playing and song writing. Here is a band that does not rely on distortion and down-tuned guitars with screaming vocals to achieve a heavy sound. Their brand of heaviness is more of a soulful feeling than a simple gnarly roar. Check out the song “Hey Doctor” for proof of this; addictive melodies flow simultaneously with crushingly heavy riffs, whilst, remarkably, managing to maintain a relaxed and laid back feel throughout.
The intricate contrasts between the albums heavier moments and gentle psychedelic passages create a truly alluring and varied atmosphere, reflecting the mind of musical Alchemist/ bandleader Magnus Pelander at work. The bastardized offspring of Roky Erickson and Bobby Liebling and a hoarder of vintage amplification, Pelander has done a lot of soul-searching to create this fresh set of epic tales.
In his own words, he describes the 3-part progressive rock odyssey of the album’s title track “The Alchemist” as being “basically about physical and mental abuse and a longing for some place better...It’s also about struggling and moving forward, not allowing yourself to give up.”
Giving up is something that doesn’t enter easily into the Witchcraft fold, although their turmoil stricken caravan has suffered a couple of major setbacks on the road prior to the recording of The Alchemist. Firstly, they were personally requested by Pepper Keenan to go out on the road with Corrosion of Conformity until tragedy struck America with the Katrina disaster, displacing Keenan and understandably forcing C.O.C. to cancel on the eve of the tour. Following this, they were hand picked by psych-rock legends Monster Magnet to join them on their European escapades, until the brakes were put on just prior to the tour1s commencement due to unforeseen circumstances in the Monster Magnet camp which lead to the abandonment of the entire tour.
In summer of 2006, drummer Jonas Arnesson decided that he was not able to give himself 100% to the bands upcoming commitments and bailed out, rather then becoming a hindrance to the band. His replacement was Jens Henriksson, who had engineered both previous Witchcraft albums and even played drums on the bands first 7" single - way back in 2002.
Getting the wheels back in motion last Autumn, Witchcraft (with Jens behind the kit) headlined a full North American tour (supported by Kemado Records’ psych-rockers Danava) and in early 2007 the band ventured out with friends Clutch and The Sword on their very successful European tour. This time though, there was yet another drummer in the Witchcraft fold; Fredrik Jansson who, with one rehearsal under his belt, played his debut show with the band in front of 2,000 people at London's, Astoria and is now a full time member of the band.
Event Robot
With their third album, The Alchemist, Sweden’s Witchcraft finally achieves what they have always threatened. Here is an album that sees them move away from the generic “Doom-Rock” tag into something much more vibrant and worthy.
If Wolfmother were hip for the kids and their bearded, balding dads last year, Witchcraft was the band hiding in the cave, refusing to come out until the right time. That time is indeed now for a band whose cool is so natural and non-contrived, it simply cannot be ignored any longer.
Already heralded as a major player in the somewhat booming, if oddly named, American “Hipster Metal” scene, these young 70’s rock influenced kids from Orebro, Sweden, live and breathe the grooves they create. Aside from making big waves in the underground, Witchcraft have also garnered the attention of some of the rock and metal world1s leading figures, including big supporter Phil Anselmo, who has proudly proclaimed them as being his “new favorite band”.
Recorded 100% pro-tools and digital free, The Alchemist shows a group of musicians at ease with their playing and song writing. Here is a band that does not rely on distortion and down-tuned guitars with screaming vocals to achieve a heavy sound. Their brand of heaviness is more of a soulful feeling than a simple gnarly roar. Check out the song “Hey Doctor” for proof of this; addictive melodies flow simultaneously with crushingly heavy riffs, whilst, remarkably, managing to maintain a relaxed and laid back feel throughout.
The intricate contrasts between the albums heavier moments and gentle psychedelic passages create a truly alluring and varied atmosphere, reflecting the mind of musical Alchemist/ bandleader Magnus Pelander at work. The bastardized offspring of Roky Erickson and Bobby Liebling and a hoarder of vintage amplification, Pelander has done a lot of soul-searching to create this fresh set of epic tales.
In his own words, he describes the 3-part progressive rock odyssey of the album’s title track “The Alchemist” as being “basically about physical and mental abuse and a longing for some place better...It’s also about struggling and moving forward, not allowing yourself to give up.”
Giving up is something that doesn’t enter easily into the Witchcraft fold, although their turmoil stricken caravan has suffered a couple of major setbacks on the road prior to the recording of The Alchemist. Firstly, they were personally requested by Pepper Keenan to go out on the road with Corrosion of Conformity until tragedy struck America with the Katrina disaster, displacing Keenan and understandably forcing C.O.C. to cancel on the eve of the tour. Following this, they were hand picked by psych-rock legends Monster Magnet to join them on their European escapades, until the brakes were put on just prior to the tour1s commencement due to unforeseen circumstances in the Monster Magnet camp which lead to the abandonment of the entire tour.
In summer of 2006, drummer Jonas Arnesson decided that he was not able to give himself 100% to the bands upcoming commitments and bailed out, rather then becoming a hindrance to the band. His replacement was Jens Henriksson, who had
engineered both previous Witchcraft albums and even played drums on the bands
first 7" single - way back in 2002.
Getting the wheels back in motion last Autumn, Witchcraft (with Jens behind the kit) headlined a full North American tour (supported by Kemado Records’ psych-rockers Danava) and in early 2007 the band ventured out with friends Clutch and The Sword on their very successful European tour. This time though, there was yet another drummer in the Witchcraft fold; Fredrik Jansson who, with one rehearsal under his belt, played his debut show with the band in front of 2,000 people at London's, Astoria and is now a full time member of the band.