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A catchy throwback to the earlest days and sound of NWOBHM.-
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| Witchcurse: Still Evil |
Heavy Metal
War Productions
May 7th, 2011
- I'm No Fool - 4:25
- Way of Life - 3:56
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| Review Information |
Release length: 8:20
Review posted on July 31st, 2011
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| | Overall Score: 9/10 |
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| Discography |
Discography covers all information available up to day of review and is updated if future albums are reviewed. |
| Full-Length(s): |
Heavy Metal Poison (2010)
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| EP(s): |
Still Evil (2011)
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| Split(s): |
Under the Spell (2009) • Defenders of the Past (2010) • Heavy Metal Drunk Machine (2011)
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| Demo(s): |
Rehearsal Tape (2005) • Heavy Metal Poison (2007) • Demon's Warning (2009)
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| Live CD(s): |
The Witch is Alive (2008)
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| Review |
Witchcurse is a band that is more well known in the underground world of classic Heavy Metal then in the more popular and "mainstream" circles of the style. Considering that there are many bands like Enforcer and Katana really making waves with such strong vintage music and worship, bands like Witchcurse are in a prime position to break through wtih their early Heavy Metal and NWOBHM approach. However, the group seems to still be sticking to the shadows, issuing their latest offering, a two song vinyl E entitled Still Evil through War Productions. Of course, this pressing is another strictly limited release, available only in five hundred hand numbered copies, which begs one to wonder why the group is still hiding out and not taking their brand to the masses so hungry for solid bands that capture the true spirit of Metal from it's glory days.
The quality to the recording is just a little muffled, not quite as clear as you would expect for a release today, despite it being on a record verses a compact disc. Everything is leveled nicely though, having the guitars making a noticable impression on Still Evil and coming off with that classic early eighties slight distortion but with enough of an edge to hit the listener hard. The bass is strong here as well, having a louder presence and slight twang to it, really making it one of the more important instruments instead of more then just a background necessity to the band. Vocally it's a clean performance, common with NWOBHM style bands, and nothing too over-the-top, but still suiting to the somewhat faster sound and feeding more into the catchier vibe of the songs. The drums are well paced, and all are leveled out with the proper clicks and even a slight echo from the audio quality in the snares with solid cymbols. But, with the song "Way of Life", at the same time these become a bit of an issue. There are times where the cymbols don't ring out naturally, as if they stop, and there are moments where the drums sound like someone would copy and paste in the studio for them. It's weird, it doesn't sound like that's what really is going on, but that's how jerky the drums can be sometimes, and that isn't the case with the first track, "I'm No Fool".
In fact, "I'm No Fool" sounds pretty solid and the cymbols ring out naturally. The song really have a bit of a darker Heavy Metal vibe to it and clearly is meant to be a little more on the catchier side, especially with the solid chorus that has some simpler lyrics and vocal performance, but the music is just tighter and catchier then anything else on this track or "Way of Life". The solos here are also well done, though the first isnothing too spectacular, and with the secondary guitars they sound very rich and well performed for the track. "Way of Life", however, has a slower pace with more of a galloping feel to it at times, and this one features some background gang-chant style vocals, just without the gang. While this track isn't really generic, it's not really the most unique sounding and really becomes the definition of traditional Heavy Metal, but it's at least done well despite some of the drum issues pointed out earlier, and it's sudden cutting out at the very end that feels really abrupt though clearly there's maybe one or two more seconds left which would have let it end naturally.
But, all in all, Still Evil is a good release. This two track vinyl features two good songs of classic NWOBHM-style material that is just really enjoyable from start to finish. There's nothing too complex outside of some of the guitar solos on these songs, but the tracks still have that Heavy Metal attitiude to them no matter how catchy or lighter they may seem to many giants from the era this sound originates from. If you haven't heard of Witchcurse before, and you happen on this effort, it's worth giving a spin and adding to your collection, especially if you miss the days of classic Heavy Metal acts.
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Digital review copy of this release provided by:
War Productions.
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