Musical Style: Hard Rock	Produced By:
Record Label: Bad Omen	Country Of Origin: UK
Year Released: 2018	Artist Website:
Tracks: 10	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 45:47

First impressions are very important, and where Angelic Warlord and Prelude, the Bad Omen Records 2016 debut full length of Wytch Hazel are concerned, those impressions are full of commendation.  Repeat listen to the 85% Angelic Warlord reviewed work of the Lancaster, UK based four piece reveals a band breaking the mold, particularly from how it draws upon the influence of New Wave of British Heavy Metal and joins it with equal parts hard rock twin guitar attack (think Thin Lizzy) and folk-rock eccentricity (not unlike Jethro Tull).  When further factoring how it emphasizes facets of sacred Medieval music, Wytch Hazel represents one of the few acts within current hard music circles to traverse such musical territory, or at the very least without coming across dated or derivative.  

Taking center stage is the Wytch Hazel summer of 2018 sophomore effort II: Sojourn (also Bad Omen), which approaches from a similar musical AND lyrical standpoint, noting how Wytch Hazel might not be a Christian band but does include a believing member in vocalist and guitarist Colin Hendra.  Also not-unlike Prelude, the II: the Sojourn lyrics are reflective of Hendra’s faith, if not even more so in this capacity.  A previous online interview finds him summing things up in this regard:

"I'm a Christian in a heavy metal band.  I don't see it as Wytch Hazel is a Christian heavy metal band. I mean, in our band Neil (Corkery, bassist) is a Roman Catholic and I'm more Protestant and then Josh (Winnard, guitarist) is agnostic/atheist. So, for me, it's just about doing normal stuff while having a Christian voice or influence. In terms of lyrics and stuff, it (my faith) was always going to come through because I write the songs, but for me it's not really an issue- I know that not everyone shares the same views, I believe in democracy.”

Lone change to report in the II: Sojourn lineup is the departure of Corkery and Winnard in favor of their replacements, bassist Matt Gatley and guitarist Alex Haslam.  Constants remain holdover drummer Jack Spencer in addition to the Wytch Hazel penchant for defying style classification by (as noted in said review) ‘leaving the impression of residing firmly in the Middle Ages but mirroring the exuberant vigor of seventies influenced hard rock tinged heavy metal.’  Its press material more specifically further sums things up: ‘In the parallel universe where the new wave of British heavy metal happened 600 years early, Wytch Hazel are the band of choice for the discerning Plantagenet head banger’.

Opening cut “The Devil Is Here” leaves little doubt as to the Wytch Hazel 70’s hard rock influences, revealed in its rolling mid-paced tempo exclusive to guitar harmonies with a Southern edge and underpinnings of a gritty blues based capacity.  Perfecting the enriched scene is Hendra’s warm and inviting vocal bearing.  Lyrics speak of how the devil wants to harm and separate us from God:

Is this really where I want to be?
With a sick and twisted mind
I must move on – restore the good
Leaving evil right behind

The devil is here
And he want to bring you down

Starting to drum and bass solos, “Save My Life” maneuvers at a more forward tempo to find guitars touch upon a decided metal basis in comparison, with a quieter passage at the mid-point being the lone exception.  Occasional medieval tinge to guitars finds the Wytch Hazel sound to remain rooted in the Middle Ages.  “Save My Life” focuses on fleeing from evil:

Save my life!  Put an end to my searching
Save my life!  Come and heal all this hurting

Don’t waste your life and your freedom, don’t lose your soul
Flee from the kingdom of evil, surrender your all  

“Still We Fight” starts stilly to worshipful acoustic guitar prior to abruptly taking off in the heavier rocking form to carry its length.  With its up-tempo inclining, the song - much to my delight - takes the Southern flavorings to the next level, as revealed in the victorious semblance to the determined (and quite catchy) ‘still we fight!’ refrain.  A cameo acoustic guitar appearance is ensued by an extended instrumental lead guitar run.

Atmospheric and melancholic ballad “Wait On The Wind” gently drifts its length to ethereal guitars carried over a militant drum backdrop.  Some of the albums most enchanting guitar harmonies rise to the surface in the process, as does an engaging at once melody of an accessible form.  This is the first of three as find as it gets acoustic tracks from Wytch Haze.

Back to a hard rock form with “See My Demons”, ranking alongside the II: Sojourn heaviest with its driven mentality for its staunchly done verses sections and every bit perseverant refrain.  Instrumentally, jazzy acoustic guitar gives way to skillfully done at times lead and others harmony based guitar run.  Overcoming evil is the topic at hand:

Another day my soul in disarray
Another battle in the mind
A helping hand to help me understand
A guiding Light I will find

Come see my demons, come see them all
All in my mind I see them rise I see them fall

“Barrow Hill” returns to a mellower direction, starting to clashing symbols prior to medieval tinctured classical guitar and occasional hints of organ setting the drifting if not resplendent tone its remaining span.  Again, we have another track to sound as if taken from the Middle Ages, or more specifically written as if a Lord Of The Rings soundtrack in mind.

Aptly entitled instrumental “Chorale” maneuvers its first minute to church organ prior to impelling its final two as bombastic guitars and organ lead the way.  “Slaves To Righteousness” kicks in at once in strong willed fashioned, grainy with its 70’s influenced hard rock guitar riffs but lofty in terms of the anthem-like feel to its towering refrain.  A jubilant if not triumphant feel comes to the forefront as a result, either way.  “Slaves To Righteousness” lyrically draws upon Romans 6:

Not under law but under grace
We offer up our lives as slaves
Not slaves to death but slaves to righteousness
Obedience to Him who reigns

So follow me, follow me
Take up your cross for the path of glory

Slaves to righteousness have no fear in death
Slaves to righteousness stand victorious

“Victory” starts to a drum solo prior to moving ahead in impassioned mid-paced fashion. Guitars in particular dig and bite throughout, lending a borderline metal effect, while layered vocal melodies further heighten the emotion at hand. Ethereal flavorings decorate the lengthy instrumentally portion of a song paying homage to “Amazing Grace”:

When He said ‘it is finished’
A victory from the One
Eternal, final battle
That for us was won (that for us was one)

Our King stands triumphant
No death shall not prevail

Victory is found in Thee
We were blind but now we see

“Angel Take Me” closes the album to six minutes of delectable acoustic guitar.  The song delicately drifts its first minute only to pick up impetus at once, contented with its soothing melody as bluesy guitars, grand piano and violin play distant but approving roles.  Give credit Hendra for the pleasing emotional touch on lead vocals.

II: Sojourn reflects improvement over Prelude in terms of production with a cleaner mix spotlighting better-defined drums and a more prevalent rhythm guitar sound.  Likewise, I prefer cover art with its portrayal of a knight on a warhorse as opposed to the plain blues and brown backdrop to Prelude.

I identify with Wytch Hazel and its sophomore outing II: Sojourn as medieval tinctured 70’s hard rock with a muscular metal edge.  Accordingly, credit Wytch Hazel for being one of the few bands within hard music circles to not only purse such a course but also pull it off with such creditability.  In boiling down to one instrumentally, three acoustic pieces and six hard rockers, II: Sojourn gives Wytch Hazel opportunity to highlight the lighter side to its songwriting but by no means forsakes the heavier aspect either.  An even joining of the two sides might be the better way to describe things.  In the end, you cannot go wrong with what Wytch Hazel brings to the table on II: Sojourn both musically and lyrically.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “The Devil Is Here” (3:48), “Save My Life” (4:00), “Still We Fight” (4:39), “Wait On The Wind” (5:11), “See My Demons” (4:34), “Barrow Hill” (5:21), “Chorale” (2:52), “Slaves To Righteousness” (3:48), “Victory” (5:27), “Angel Take Me” (6:06)

Musicians
Colin Hendra - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Alex Haslam - Guitars
Matt Gatley - Bass
Jack Spencer - Drums

Additional Musicians
Rob Last - Organ & Piano
Kieran O’Malley - Violin