By: Richard Maw
Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 13/07/2018
Label: Bad Omen Records
Just how good and revered this album is
and will be is not yet known, but there is no doubt that all the elements are
there for this to become at the least an underground hit.
“II: Sojourn” CD//DD//LP
track listing:
1). The Devil Is Here
2). Save My Life
3). Still We Fight
4). Wait On The Wind
5). See My Demons
6). Barrow Hill
7). Chorale
8). Slaves To Righteousness
9). Victory
10). Angel Take Me
The Review:
Undoubtedly
the best medieval inspired hard rock band in the North West of England (!) Wytch Hazel
are back with this second full length album. They have retained their vintage
sound and peculiarly English sense of style on this excellent return. Much like
their debut, “Prelude”, the band play
very assuredly and with considerable flair; the guitar work is fleet footed and
the rhythm section is very tight indeed.
If
the band were going for a classic Wishbone Ash crossed with Thin Lizzy by way of Jethro Tull
vibe... they have succeeded admirably. Messrs Downey, Lynott, Gorham and
Robertson/Moore/White/Sykes (or Bell)
would be hugely pleased if they came up with the fiery work displayed on “Save My Life” or storming opener “The Devil Is Here”. The word here is
classic: classic sound, well delivered
songs and timeless in themes and scope.
There
are bursts of pace (“Still We Fight”)
to go with anthemic choruses. There are mellow and melancholy tracks (“Wait On The Wind”) and not a duff track
in sight in the ten on offer here. This is English hard rock of the best
vintage (1972-1978) and actually manages to conjure up the wistfulness that the aforementioned Wishbone Ash did so convincingly
on their classic “Argus” full length.
Just
how good and revered this album is and will be is not yet known- it needs more
time to bed in than the two weeks I have had it for review; but there is no
doubt that all the elements are there for this to become at the least an
underground hit. From the lush acoustics of “Barrow Hill” to the instrumental bombast of “Chorale”, the ingredients are here.
Wytch Hazel pursue the same path to
its logical conclusion via “Slaves To
Righteousness”, “Victory” and
the closing “Angel Take Me”. The
only possible fly in the ointment for some listeners may be the somewhat
spiritual/religious aspect to the record- but it was there on the debut too. It
doesn't bother me but you may feel differently; your call.
What
we have here, then, are ten tracks of finely crafted English hard rock in the classic
style. There are no songs about girls, no songs about cars, only loud guitars
and a longing for another, simpler time. Fantastic.
“II:
Sojourn” is available here
Band
info: bandcamp || facebook
