| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Ed Turner |
| Record Label: Bad Omen | Country Of Origin: UK |
| Year Released: 2023 | Artist Website: Wytch Hazel |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 42:57 |
Wytch Hazel is a time machine in a lot of ways. Listen to the new wave of British heavy metal, Thin Lizzy twin hard rock style guitar attack and folk rock eccentricity of Jethro Tull to the groups first three albums, Prelude (2016), II: Sojourn (2018) and III: Pentecost (2020), and you will be taken back to the seventies. When further factoring the penchant of the Lancaster, UK based four-piece for sacred medieval music not to mention medieval influenced stage attire, and you end up sent farther back in time.
Fourth Wytch Hazel album IV: Sacrament (also Bad Omen) from the spring of 2023 does not deviate from the musical course. In other words, it maintains the Wytch Hazel affinity for drawing upon such distinct musical nuances without leaving impression as dated or derivative all the same. Where the album separates, however, is from featuring some of the group’s finest compositions to date. Not that the first three albums are in any way flawed - each is solid in deserving the 80% to 85% scores I assigned - but IV: Sacrament finds Wytch Hazel coming into its own and taking things to the next level from a songwriting standpoint.
Lyrical direction also remains unchanged in that whereas not a Christian band, Wytch Hazel does include a believing member in founder and multi instrumentalist Colin Hendra, whom carries over the faith based lyrical penchant from previous releases. In terms of specifics, an online interview found Hendra providing further detail: "I'm a Christian in a heavy metal band. I don't see it as Wytch Hazel is a Christian heavy metal band. 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.”
Opener and third single “The Fire’s Control” represents one of albums most accessible. It proves quintessential Wytch Hazel, as walls of crisp guitars, wondrous harmonies and Hendra’s warmly enriched mid-ranged vocals stand alongside an immediately recognizable, commercial tinged melody. In other era “the Fire’s Control” would have dominated the airwaves and MTV.
Debut single “Angel Of Light” is every bit laudable. Song takes a heavier stance, launching to a brief drum solo ahead of galloping forward as entrenched guitars and Andrew Shackleton’s reverberating bass coalesce with periodic hints of earthy Hammond B3 and acoustic guitar. Am I out of line to suggest a hint of Power & Glory era 100% Proof? Lyric snippet:
We have won the war but I have lost this fight
We're against a darkness that shows itself as light
Fooling and devouring eating us alive
Searching for a way through this labyrinth of lies
Fallen again, when will it end?
I opened the door; I welcomed the Demon right in
Show me the way to do what you say
I will stand tall I will stand firm in The Truth
The plodding opening seconds to “Time And Doubt” abruptly give way to more forceful momentum as the undeviating verse sections are approached. The assertive allure, however, diminishes upon acquiring the flowing refrain decorated with luxurious vocal harmonies. The rollicking instrumental run sees the balance duel leads of Hendra and Alex Haslam to shine.
Second single “Strong Heart” also shines. Acoustic guitar makes a cameo appearance to play a light decorating role, accompanying the decisiveness to the stead mid-tempo clip and beguiling melody of an entrancing form. One cannot deny the bluesy sensibilities. Lyric snippet:
Wounds have been opened
But you are not broken
You have a strong heart now
Oh that spell that you're under
The hope that you hunger
Tells of a strong heart now
Face the battle by your might
See your spirit taking flight
Hendra plays a jack-of-all-trades roll in handling lead vocals, piano, organ, guitars and drums, with latter standing out in the form of the bounding tom toms on “Deliver Us”. What we have is a melody driven track - again, the group’s vocal melodies exquisitely pull in - to highlight a medieval form, revealed in the stilly done passage at the halfway mark to feature classical guitar and organ. This one highlights a technical side to the Wytch Hazel songwriting.
“A Thousand Years” launches at an upbeat tempo and maintains the elevated stances its span. Verse sections hit particularly hard as rhythm section makes an abrading statement and refrain resonates of the impactful with guitars pointing to the fragmenting. A brief descent to a calmer passage gives way to albums best stretch of searing lead guitar. Lyric snippet:
Faithful reign, reign with Christ
They stand firm they have paid with their life
They the first, first in him
Now remembered no more is their sin
Satan is chained for a thousand years
Cast into the ground
Saints they will reign for a thousand years
They will bear the crown
The Lamb will reign forever beyond a thousand years
For His name be honoured and feared above all fears
“Gold Light”, a minute and half instrumental upheld by classical guitar and atmospheric keyboards, transitions to showstopper “Endless Battle”. Song borders on the progressive with its manifold time signatures, interspersing between moments ranging from acoustic laced with a medieval feel to heavier in emanating a militant vibe to regally splendid as manifest melody commands. What we have is an elite example of the Wytch Hazel songwriting abilities. Lyric snippet:
When I face my enemy, I will ride with risen blade
No, I will not be afraid for He goes along with me
I do battle with the sword, but the battle is the lords
When I see the battle ground no my heart will not grow faint
Pushing on with no restraint I will make my praises loud
Marching bold into the fray for the Lord will win the day
For the battle is the Lords
“Future Is Gold” is another favorite as a lushly done acoustic rocker. It draws upon Kansas hit “Dust In The Wind” in this regard with its emotional melody, moving keyboards and lush vocal melodies. Basic but not simple- in other words, a guy, an acoustic guitar and a great songs. Not to nit pick, but I thought it would make better sense for “Gold Light” to precede “Futures Gold” in the track listing to combine for a single two part song.
“Digging Deeper” represents by far the finest Wytch Hazel song to date. It represents albums lengthiest at six and half minutes, exhilarating with its inspired tempo to see bass driven moments trade off with those in which biting guitars control but also engaging in terms of the captivating melody to keep things fresh despite the length. The highly complex instrumental run leaves one impressed with the manifest musicianship. Lyric snippet:
The fight within growing weaker
Oh! I cannot go any deeper
Light within glowing dimmer
Oh! I cannot go any deeper
You possess the victory
A faith a place, a destiny
Songs refrains created
Melodies so sacred
Wytch Hazel has outdone itself on fourth album IV: Sacrament by putting together by far its strongest set of songs to date. Top cuts such as “The Fire’s Control”, “Angel Of Light”, “Endless Battle”, “Future Is Gold” and “Digging Deeper” find the group literally firing on all cylinders. Great songs make for a great album and such is the case with IV: Sacrament. That said, only thing preventing a higher score is that the album is somewhat abbreviated at just nine-full length songs- add one or two more of similar quality and we are talking a grade in the 95% range. Still, what we have is a legitimate top 5 album of the year contender and by far the finest work from Wytch Hazel to date.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “The Fire’s Control” (3:50), “Angel Of Light” (4:51), “Time And Doubt” (4:47), “Strong Heart” (3:58), “Deliver Us” (4:03), “A Thousand Years” (4:44), “Gold Light” (1:25), “Endless Battle” (5:17), “Future Is Gold” (3:47), “Digging Deeper” (6:24)
Musicians
Colin Hendra - Lead Vocals, Drums, Guitars, Piano & Organ
Alex Haslam - Guitars
Andrew Shackleton - Bass Guitar
