Search - Seven Witches :: Passage to the Other Side

Traditonal Heavy Metal is Still Being Made,Even in 2003 !

Steve Randall | El Segundo, CA. United States | 05/14/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Some bands manage to capture a sound that completely derives from the old masters.Priest,Maiden,Accept,Dio and to a lesser status Savatage.And even though the market for this stuff has long since dried up.Bands like Hammerfall,Steel Prophet,Primal Fear,Dream Evil, and now Jack Frost's Seven Witches still fly the banners high and still release traditional heavy metal records.This band has one previous record that I heard a few tracks from that did'nt do much 4me.The best being a cover of Grim Reaper's See You In Hell.Not bad.This new CD has a differant singer and bassist though.The singer does a fair job and the bassist is Joey Vera of Armored Saint & Fates Warning.This record has a great dark and heavy vibe.Jack Frost's playing & riffing really reminds me of Jeff Waters.First track Dance With the Dead starts off a heavy pace followed by a very Priest like track called Metal Mesiah.The heaviness continues through the entire disc with Fever in the City being a standout.A wicked little riff.Betrayed is right off of Hall of the Mountain King,almost a nod to Savatage that this killer riff could've been yours.( Jack Frost did some touring with Savatage but was fired B4 recording any music with them). This CD also follows suit in doing a cover.This one is Def Leppard's Wasted.A high octain version with double kick drums that make for a much heavier track than the Leps laid down.The title track closes things out.And after a shred fest of 9 tracks of true metal,Passage to the Other Side takes you on a journey through death and the final act of passing into the spirit world. A powerful song and a strong finish.Any fans of the bands I've mentioned should enjoy this album.Steeped in true heavy metal tradition Seven Witches still thinks it's 1985.And 4An old rivet head like me,that works just fine."

Could easily be Halford solo album #3!!!

R. Cusick | Norwood, MA United States | 05/14/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Great new album from Seven Witches! New vocalist James is a dead ringer for Halford!! Check out the second track "Mental Messiah". Uncanny!
The music sounds a lot like the recent Halford/Fight albums. Great straight ahead metal with unreal vocals! Can't wait to hear the next album."