| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: Ed Turner |
| Record Label: Bad Oman | Country Of Origin: UK |
| Year Released: 2020 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 42:53 |
Lancaster, UK based Wytch Hazel has been on a tear since the spring of 2016 release to its Bad Omen Records (and 85% Angelic Warlord reviewed) debut full length Prelude. The group breaks the mold by the manner in which it affiliates New Wave of British Heavy Metal and a twin Thin Lizzy style hard rock guitar attack with folk-rock eccentricity not unlike Jethro Tull. When further factoring its emphasis on sacred medieval music, Wytch Hazel leaves impression as residing firmly in the Middle Ages but mirroring the exuberant vigor of seventies-influenced hard rock tinged heavy metal.
Hence, the musical AND lyrical direction to the groups 2018 sophomore effort II: Sojourn (80% Angelic Warlord review) and third full length from the fall of 2020 III: Pentecost (both also on Bad Omen). No, Wytch Hazel might not be a Christian band, but it does include one believing member in vocalist and guitarist Colin Hendra. In similar fashion to Prelude and II Sojourn, the III: Pentecost lyrics reflect Hendra’s faith, if not more so in that capacity. A previous online interview (at the time of Prelude) finds him summing 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.’
III: Pentecost opening cut “He Is The Fight” reveals the Wytch Hazel heavier side. It punches from the get go, heightened in terms of paramount energy as abounding guitar harmonies prevail but also exhibiting an anthem-like appeal revealed in the surpassing refrain. Guitar team of Hendra and Alex Haslam lead the way in terms of the upbeat tempo. Lyric snippet:
We fall on the sword, for the sake of the Lord
We fall at the feet, of our enemies
Daily we die, hear all the cries
We’ll take a stand, by His command
Beware the great deceiver, Angel of Light
He is a roaring lion, He is the fight
Rise up and fight we will sing
We serve a mightier King
“Spirit And Fire” maintains the heavier themes, not backing from the forward motive but with guitars taking a more metal edge as opposed to hard rock. Course, however, does not reverse itself as it pertains to the immediately engaging refrain. Henda and Haslam remain a force in light of the acoustic hints and lively stretch of bold lead guitar.
With Andrew Shackleton’s concise bass solo to start, “I Am Redeemed” traverses its span to medieval influenced guitar vestiges but within a similar seventies derivative classic hard rock framework. Ample doses of Hammond B3 not to mention Jack Spencer’s cascading drum proclivity builds upon this as does Hendra’s enriched middle register vocal qualities. Lyric snippet:
Oh Satan He dwells, casting His spells on me
Oh I am made free, only by Calvary
Lucifer though you know my disgrace,
I will not hide my face; I will not hide my face
Lucifer you’ll have no hold on me
For I am a slave made free, I am a slave made free
I am redeemed
“Archangel” starts slow and dreamy ahead of taking a mid-paced bent compared to its lively predecessors, although not backing from the gallant qualities (noting the resolute hooks) and decided heaviness (a weighty crunch reveals in guitars). Interestingly, at the halfway point the song slows to a standstill as the calmer opening moments succinctly return.
“Dry Bones” rates with this reviewer’s choice cuts in light of its bountiful melody. Song radiates of the bluesy in trending classic rock territory, revealed in its bass driven verse sections, but also maintains the hard rock focal point, acknowledging the guitars to power in and back the catchy chorus. Bluesy signatures heighten the closing instrumental moments. Lyric snippet:
See the skin is forming life will start again
Here a work restoring power has been sent
We will rise like eagles by His mighty breath
Giving him the glory for His faithfulness
By his power and might, I’ll prophesy
Breathe a spirit of life, revive, revive us now
Awaken, oh awaken, I will bring you back to life
Awaken, oh awaken, see these dry bones they will rise
Lone instrumental “Sonata”, three-stylish minutes of classically influenced organ, cello and delicate guitars, gives way to seventh track “I Will Not”. Song kicks in at a lively tempo, setting a mirthful tone its length in reference to its freely flowing form but also with distinct raw edged underpinnings that reach for the bluesy. I appreciate the Southern guitar tones instrumentally.
“Reap The Harvest” is another key track. It begins to pouring rain underlined by cello and ballad like piano, initiating force as trudging guitars of a doom like variety step in but also intermittently braking for passages of a buoyant form in which guitars take a settled tone. All the while one of albums most forthright melodies rises to the surface. Lyric snippet:
Behold him on the cloud, He wears a golden crown
A scythe is in his hands
An angel He commands, to reap upon the lands
The fruit of all the earth
Will you fear the angel reaper?
With the power of death
Time to reap the harvest
Time to reap what we’ve sown
Of all the albums tracks, “The Crown” most firmly roots in those sacred medieval musical underpinnings. Song propels front to back acoustically, airy and delicate its first minute only to pick up pace to a rolling drumbeat rest of the way as Hendra’s inviting vocals emboldens the abundant melody to project. Further classical instrumentation aligns with the grand and stately theme.
Wytch Hazel saves its best for lack in “Ancient Of Days”. With female narration from Daniel 7:12-14 to start, “Ancient Of Days” echoes of the sublime as it marches ahead to courageous harmonies and militant drum beats in unveiling albums most exalted refrain: ‘Worthy, worthy, of all the praise / Ancient, ancient, ancient of days’ An apocalyptic if not worshipful form correspondingly allows the song to separate. Lyric snippet:
Ancient, ancient, ancient of days
Wisdom, wisdom, in all of His ways
Worthy, worthy, of all of the praise
Ancient, ancient, ancient of days
Bring your heart unto the maker of all things
For he loves thee and he longs to give thee wings
Seek him all your burdens lay them at his feet
See now all those demos he will now defeat
Consistency has been a leading indicator with Wytch Hazel in light of its three highly graded Angelic Warlord albums. Of course, musical direction to combine the best aspects of the current (in light of metal and hard rock) with the sacred (noting the medieval influences) plays no small role in this regard. Every bit notable, of course, is the Wytch Hazel solid songwriting and able musicianship. Overall, III: Pentecost recommends as another solid album from the UK based four piece.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “He Is The Fight” (3:44), “Spirit And Fire” (4:32), “I Am Redeemed” (3:52), “Archangel” (4:23), “Dry Bones” (5:06), “Sonata” (3:02), “I Will Not” (4:02), “Reap The Harvest” (4:44), “The Crown” (4:19), “Ancient Of Days” (5:08)
Musicians
Colin Hendra - Lead Vocals, Guitar Organ, Piano & Drums
Alex Haslam - Guitars
Andrew Shackelton - Bass
Jack Spencer - Drums
Additional Musicians
David Hendra - Cello
