Release
date: February
14th
2020. Label: Argonauta
Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Under
The Shadow Of A Witch -
Tracklisting
1.Spearfinger
02:59
2.Demon's
Hook 04:02
3.Wolf
Among The Sheep 04:59
4.Witches
of Aendor 04:18
5.Shifter
03:34
6.Saint
Magdalene 04:31
7.6
x 6 03:54
8.Sour
03:51
9.Fountain
08:10
Members
David Pannullo ~ bass
Earl Walker Lundy ~ vocals, mellotron, tapes
Jeremy Hall ~ guitars.
Review
Shadow
Witch impressed me a great deal back in 2017 with their last album –
Disciples Of The Crow. And now almost 2.5 years later the band are
back with Under The Shadow Of A Witch. This album has a more devilish
and streetwise attitude compared to their last album. The riffs are
mostly the same which is a good thing as Shadow Witch carry on the
good work they created with their last record.
The
album is a blistering mix of Doom, Grunge, Heavy Rock and Stoner Rock
attitude. The band adapt a more classic Hard Rock feel to their music
as well especially on the earlier tracks such as Spearfinger, Demon’s
Hook, Wolf Among The Sheep and Witches Of Aendor. The music is fresh
and fast-paced with the grizzled guitars laying down doomy riffs with
the vocals having a fresh gloomy perspective to them.
There
are shades of NWOBHM driving the music to greater heights on this
album and Shadow Witch seem more energized than I’ve heard
previously. The music is always constantly heavy and addictive with
the band paying homage to the classic Hard Rock/Heavy Metal sounds of
the last 50 years or so. So you can expect shades of Black Sabbath,
Deep Purple and Iron Maiden within this album’s DNA but still
offering a Doomed Out Stoner Rock perspective.
The
lyrics is what gives the band the devilish and streetwise attitude
that I mentioned earlier in the review. The lyrics feel quite real
despite the “Occult/Doom” based presence of them. So take notice
what Earl is singing about on this album. As there are some great
lyrics to remember and perhaps even sing-along with.
The
best moments appear on the 2nd half of the album where
Shadow Witch branch out into heavier and progressive territory
especially on the 8 minute plus epic Fountain which features the
all-round good dude and one of my favourite people in the Stoner Rock
scene – Pat Harrington of GEEZER fame – playing slide guitar. So
another cool thing waiting for you to hear on the album.
I
have to give the band credit for adding a different version of the
album on their BandCamp Page. This version is all instrumental and is
split into two different acts listed below:
Act
One ~ Spearfinger & Other Cautionary Tales ~
Spearfinger.
Demon's Hook. Wolf Among The Sheep. Witches Of Aendor. Shifter.
Act
Two ~ Fountain & Other Assorted Love Songs ~
Saint
Magdalene. 6x6. Sour. Fountain.
That
was really cool to hear. The album sounds very different as an
instrumental album. As Earl’s vocals add a powerful presence to
Shadow Witch’s overall sound. However, this is a still a great idea
to include.
Under
The Shadow Of A Witch is another winning album from Shadow Witch and
will no doubt keep their established fanbase and the Doom/Stoner Rock
community entertained for a long to come. Well, until their next
album…
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Mona
at All Noir PR
for the promo. Under
The Shadow Of A Witch is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from
Argonauta Records now.
Links:
