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Artist Spotlight - Witchcraft

Written by John Louse

Thursday, 31 July 2008

If Phil Anselmo, former Pantera lead singer and current singer for Down, suddenly called my band “his favorite new band,” I might have to check my shorts. Honestly. But I don’t have a band and writing for you people, so Phil’s honor went to the Swedish band Witchcraft.
The band’s new record, The Alchemist, keeps the band’s very old school sounding metal alive. I don’t mean it’s a throwback to Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, go way farther back. The band prides themselves onto not using recording devices like Pro Tools and using vintage and makes a sound not heard since the mighty Black Sabbath. On songs like “Hey Doctor” and “Remembered,” the instruments and recording equipment take the listener back in time about 35 years and creates something very raw. Lead singer Magnus Pelander goes for a different vocal styling goes a different route than Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne, but the vocals still send chills down your spine as you hear that hiss like you’re hearing it from a record player. For even more evidence beyond The Alchemist check out their 2004 self-titled record and you will be listening to some of the most eerie sounding rock around.
The band headlined a 2007 tour and has some major dates planned on their American docket. One of the first shows brings them right here, as they play the Magic Stick in Detroit. The band does have to play the god-awful 11 AM time slot at Lollapalooza on Saturday as well before wrapping up their U.S. tour at the one-off OzzFest this year in Dallas on August.

So, as Sabbath is off touring with Ronnie James Dio and Ozzy is too busy wearing cowboy boots and forgotten his metal roots, check out Swedish’s answer to stoner metal; Witchcraft.

Witchcraft will be playing at the Magic Stick on Friday, August 1^st. Tickets are $15 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. Additional dates can be found at www.myspace.com/witchcraftswe.

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