To say my exposure to Seven Witches music is limited would be an understatement. My only, and I mean only, experience with them is the Year of the Witch concert DVD that was released last year. It was a disk that impressed me, and I wanted to get some of their studio material, but never actually got around to it. You know how it is, with so many other artists waiting to be discovered as well as other interests and endeavors, it can be very difficult to keep up with everything that you want to. As a side note, I was introduced to the solos work of Witches' guitar maestro, Jack Frost, around the same time with Out in the Cold, another recording that impressed me. So, here we are, it is a year later and I find a new Seven Witches release waiting for me.When I saw the band name, it was like a light went off in my head: I know that band! I eagerly loaded the CD into the player and pressed play. I was greeted by a crunchy mid-tempo guitar intro, accompanied by nice, evenly paced double bass drum before Alan Tecchio's voice came in and kicked the song off proper. The track is called "Deadly Sins," and it is the title track kicking off the band's sixth album, a concept album loosely based upon the seven deadly sins as described by Ghandhi.
Straight-up uncompromising metal is what Jack Frost and company deliver with this release. Looking around the net, I find that many were disappointed with the Witches' last release, 2005's Amped, but feel that this is a step in the right direction (to varying degrees, of course). I cannot make the comparison, not having heard Amped. However, I can speak to the quality of the tunes collected here.
If you want metal, and only metal, Deadly Sins will definitely be worth your time. There is no thrash, screamo, emo, hardcore, metalcore, black, death, or any other sub-classification at work here. All you get is metal that is a throwback to bands such as Judas Priest. Most of the cuts fall into the mid-tempo range, but when needed they are able to crank up the speed to satisfy that segment of the audience. Driving guitars, galloping riffs, strong drumming, soaring vocals, they have all the elements needed to succeed. However good they are as a pure metal act, they are not a combination to achieve mainstream popularity, and that is a shame.
Throughout the album, everyone who lays down a track proves their mettle by delivering first rate material. The leader is obviously Jack Frost, whose guitars scream and wail in between delivering head banging riffs that never become overly repetitive. He is closely followed by the drummer known only as Troll. His work behind the kit is exemplary, from his rapid fire double bass to inventive use of the rest of the kit, he always keeps the rhythm solid and never boring. The bass from Kevin Bolembach, and guests Joey Vera and Clint Arent, is strong, although it rarely takes center stage. Finally, the previously mentioned Alan Tecchio 's vocals are powerful, commanding and fits the surrounding players like a glove.
Besides the quality of the pure music, the lyrics are interesting, if you want to take the time to listen to them. I cannot claim to have taken the time to listen to them all that closely, but it is still clear that a lot of thought went into their writing. Taking on a topic such as Ghandhi's seven deadly sins is not an easy task, especially when commenting on them from within a musical genre that has been associated with sinful lifestyles over the years. I commend the band for attacking the topic head-on and not pulling any punches in doing so.
Bottomline. Looking for some new metal? Tired of all the sub-cat acts floating around? This would be a perfect destination. It may not be anything revolutionary, but it is exceptionally solid. Deadly Sins features strong performances from all involved, and just sounds great, particularly those guitars and drums.
Recommended.
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