Three Witches

I love Witchcraft. When Rise Above reissued the band's first three albums on vinyl, I couldn't resist and placed my last large order for 2012.

I had never owned the first Witchcraft album...not on vinyl...not on CD. In fact, I've never really spent much time with this album. The production is so rough and raw, I always just preferred the band's two follow up albums. Listening to it today, I'm really impressed with this record, and the Pentagram influence here is undeniable. This is a great record that I'm finally starting to appreciate.

400 pressed on silver vinyl.

The reissue of the self titled Witchcraft LP came with a bonus one-sided 7 inch, containing the Pentagram cover of Yes I Do, which was included on the original 2004 album release as a vinyl only bonus track.

I've only owned Firewood on CD, so I was pretty excited to get the opportunity to grab it on vinyl with this recent reissue. Easily my favorite Witchcraft release. While I was listening to this piece of vinyl this week, I was surprised to discover that the vinyl contains a song that was never on the CD, and therefore, a song I've never heard. Made my day.

400 pressed on bronze colored vinyl.

Like the eponymous debut, Firewood comes with a bonus one song 7 inch. Again the 7 inch color matches the LP, and again we get a Pentagram cover...this time When The Screams Come.

Finally, we have The Alchemist. Witchcraft went a bit more "modern" and more "rock" with their latest LP, Legend, but The Alchemist still found the band fully entrenched in that Sabbath/Pentagram Doom Metal sound. Classic.

100 pressed on clear vinyl.

No bonus 7 inch with this release, which is odd as I would have thought that Rise Above could have done the same deal and include the b-side to the If Crimson Was Your Colour single, I Know You Killed Someone. Since that single has long sold out, and I've still never heard the song, I would have thought that Rise Above would have included it here in some format.

Sure I already owned a copy of The Alchemist on vinyl, but given the opportunity to pick up the ultra rare version on clear vinyl, I had no problems in picking up a second copy.

Legendary Witchcraft

When I heard that Witchcraft were releasing a new album this year, it immediately moved to the top of my most anticipated albums of 2012 list. When I first heard this band back in 2007, I fell in love with them. The comparisons to Black Sabbath were undeniable, and we all know how much I love Sabbath.

As soon as I saw the album was available to order, I didn't hesitate to buy a copy...overseas shipping fees be damned!

The first few songs come crashing off the vinyl with doomy brilliance, and I am in awe. Holy shit, this album owns me. Then things settle down into more of a rocking sound, kind of like Graveyard. Still good, but not as powerful as the first half. And while the whole thing is not as strong as Firewood or The Alchemist, you'd be a fool to dismiss this album. Easily one of my favorite Metal releases this year.

Again, Nuclear Blast puts the hand numbered sticker on the shrink wrap of a gatefold LP. Frustration. Thankfully they remove easily enough, and can be applied to the poly sleeve I use for storage.

Along with the Legend LP, Nuclear Blast also had the It's Not Because Of You single available for order. Limited to 250 on green vinyl.

This single is worth the price paid for the non-LP track, Take Me With You When You Die. B-side songs on the single are typically throw away songs. Not this time around. The song is amazing.