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Released on January 15, 2016 via Nuclear Blast Records
Founded back in 2000 just to record a track in tribute to his heroes Rocky Erickson and Pentagram’s Bobby Liebling, founder and one time constant Magnus Pelander’s Witchcraft has evolved sixteen years later to release their 5th album on Nuclear Blast Records showcasing a new line-up of Rage Widerbug (drums) and Tobias Anger (bass). Just by a quick glance at the contrasting length of the songs the word sprawling springs to mind. However, not wanting to rush to any rash conclusions this is anything but sprawling, challenging yes, but generally a richly rewarding massive slice of epic doom and beyond.
As Magnus sings “Save the nation from a bad economy is like sailing on an endless sea”, on the Jethro Tull flutey inspired catchy first single ‘The Outcast’ are not lyrics normally associated with doom but Witchcraft, in evidence on this long-player, is no ordinary band. Nucleus is a vast, bold, progressive and ambitious album on many different levels. It is expansive, and courageous in scope, so required many more listens, even having to break it into parts at first– a few songs at a time – than normal reviewing requirements.
Not sticking to any conventional song writing formula they effortlessly bounce between a two and a half minute crunchy riff head nodder in ‘Theory of Consequence’ to the title track’s fourteen minutes of gigantic epicness. Combining acoustic pickings to doom’s trademark power chords, from melodic soloing to an impressive momentum building 16th century monks in robes slow march to impending doom sonic imagery, complimented by a captivating choir chant.
Witchcraft’s musical starting point is doom with trademark power chords, crushing riffs and all round heaviness, but never afraid to provide soft touches, quite, loud moments to create tension and drama as exemplified in ‘An Exorcism of Doubts’. The song takes many twists and turns, each section a quality assured outcome, but stretches the listener to having to appreciate outside the box thinking and to possess open ears listening.
On songs ‘The Obsessed’, ‘To Transcend Bitterness’ and the slow grinding ‘Helpless’, Magnus delivers metallic crunching riffs Metallica would be proud of. But it is the two said latter tracks, which are the least satisfying relying too much on the metal riffs to pull you in. The fifteen minutes closer ‘Breakdown’ finishes in an uncompromising and uncomfortable fashion. Two sections unite the song beginning with a minimalist repetitive acoustic refrain, which unfolds to a blood curdling, grim reaper delivered, slow churning, heavy riff. Also add into the equation the intriguing lyrics, sung, hollered out with wrought anguish by Magnus, throw in a talking monologue, and the parting shot is to leave you startled and unnerved.
As one of the definitions of Nucleus implies this might be the most important component e.g. album, so far to form the basis for Witchcraft’s activity and growth. They have definitely upped the ante significantly with Nucleus, as it is a progressive, hugely aspiring record, with flourishes of doom-tastic majesty, which grows with every listen. It requires effort from the listener, but the rewards are immensely broad so definitely worth forsaking time and effort.
