The Witching Hour

After a bit of sabbatical (well, over 15 years in fact, but I guess they needed a break anyway), Montalo (G) and Gra Scoresby (D) decided to bring Witchfynde back from the very depths of hell (or a basement in Derbyshire, which is a more plausible possibility I guess) - a decision that was surely encouraged by the consistent underground adulation the band received through the years. Peter Surgey (B) agreed to rejoin the band, but there was a bit of acrimony going on around the mike stand, as not only Luther Beltz would not agree to rejoin his old mates, but also decided to spawn his own Wytchfynde, with a minor change in spelling just to keep those dreaded lawsuits away. Unwilling to let Luther Beltz have fun on his own, the Montalo-Surgey-Scoresby nucleus recruited singer Harry Harrison (ex-Night Vision) and signed the dotted line with Neat Records.

It was a curious situation indeed: after a decade and a half with no signs of life from Witchfynde, now we had two different band incarnations operating at the same time. Luther Beltz's Wytchfynde released a CD called "The Awakening" in 2001 (I didn't like it that much when I first heard it, but it's been a while ago so I promise to review it in the near future), while the more recognizable version of Witchfynde came out with "The Witching Hour" the same year.

After such a long time out of the business, I tend to think it's all right to keep things safe, but Witchfynde sure took it to a different level with "The Witching Hour". It was a case of revisiting their previous repertoire rather than a full-scale return to studio recordings, as most of the songs here featured are re-recordings from old classics (not a single song from "Cloak and Dagger", surprisingly) with a few new numbers to make things more interesting. I always felt a bit uncomfortable with new versions for old songs: let's face it, you seldom hear something to scare the hell out of the originals, no matter how competent the reworkings are. But apart from this obvious shortcoming for long-time fans, I guess "The Witching Hour" serves its purpose as a good way to bring Witchfynde back into the metal market, while giving newcomers an unexpensive way to listen to some of the band's most significant tunes.

The new numbers are actually quite good (opening track "The Other Side" is particularly strong) and settle comfortably alongside old ditties such as "Leaving Nadir", "Stab in the Back", "Wake Up Screaming" and "Conspiracy", all laid down on tape with commendable levels of proficiency and enthusiasm, not to mention a much more competent sound production than ever before. Harry Harrison has a strong, deeper voice which, in my humble but honest opinion, fits well enough into Witchfynde's material (though I'm well aware some old fans will beg to differ), so I guess there's nothing to be worried about when it comes to vocal performance here. They were still owing us an all-new CD to call our own, but "The Witching Hour" is a decent comeback and I'm sure most Wichfynde fans welcomed it with open arms.

Now THIS is what I want to hear more of with reunions! Rarely is it that bands that get together without forgetting what made them special in the first place...but this old blokes (looking good for their age actually) managed to cobble a record together that not only fails to offend but also remakes the many good songs that were on the classic records they put out in a manner that neither shits on the originals nor seems outdated today. The singing, guitar playing and overall feel haven't changed a bit...they now just have the benefit of modern production to put the whole thing together. The vocals smoke with bluesy power...the riffs and melodies are pure 70's occult rock and nothing seems forced, tired or out of place. (Despite the fact that this is

"Stab in the Back" will have you singing along hours after the CD has left the player, "The Other Side" flows with a 1970's charm and vibe that you almost NEVER hear in this and age and many others follow suit. The vocals being strong as can be deliver these lyrics with a passion that carries them even farther. The slide guitars on "Never See it Coming" also show that the band is more diverse, and daring in this day and age than most young musicians might even attempt to be. By not giving up their sound, these guys seem progressive compared to the "play it safe" comebacks by most fogies and new records by trendy bands.

Witchfynde were a lost classic, and by coming back they've proven that they didn't DESERVE to be lost. Classic record after classic record was released...and they've picked up right where they left off. Most people haven't heard this, and this is a sad, sad fact. Hopefully this record will get the press from the doom community that it deserves and will sell reasonably enough to get them to come out of hiding again.

This is pure rock and roll, and it rules.

BUY OR DIE!!!

(Note that this record is a combination of new songs and remakes of old material...but who fucking cares...it still rocks like a panzer tank running over a house.)