Witchfynde - Give Em Hell

\r\nFrom MANSFIELD of England, we have this strange four member band. Founded and I moved in the a very early days and long before the beginning of the new HARD ROCK genre, the NWOBHM, they made their own effort for coming in the surface. Influenced, sound evident, from BLACK SABBATH (first albums), no so much with regard to the direction and the sound, as long as the suffocating, frugal underground sentiment that they exuded.
\r\nBLACK SABBATH of course influenced almost everybody, but they were not however the only ones that contributed in the direction that followed the WITCHFYNDE.
\r\nIn the specific debut album, we can also listen to other influences, as (precocious) JUDAS PRIEST, but also groups, regarded as “progressive rock”
\r\nand hard rock of the 70’s. This was also their differentiation from the other of relative groups of their generation. Groups such as GENESIS, YES, RUSH, given however with unique personal style, without being copied with the way that was attributed by IRON MAIDEN.
\r\nBut don’t be afraid…The album is heavy! Real Heavy Metal and…addictively simple. However, why do you need complex when the emotion is absent? And here, emotion and simplicity are already in excess. All the album is drowned from melody, a strange simplicity, riffs that drives you crazy, wonderful solos, characterized changes that “burns” you, harmonies that “melts” you and “unique” vocals that – regarding the color- are more similar of SEAN HARRIS of DIAMOND HEAD than DICKINSON. \r\n

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\r\nThe album begins with the great “READY TO ROLL", with its characteristic WITCHFYNDE rhythms, makes you high and fullfills you, then "THE DIVINE VICTIM" with the “hearing” riff drives you to the changes and the harmonies that we mentioned above. We continue with the six-minutes  "LEAVING NADIR". Strange, underground, claustrophobic, but also heavy! Excellent. It worth mentioning that the specific song, was included to that very good "ΝWΟΒΗΜ ’79 REVISITED" collection, which –as it is widely known- the drummer of METALLICA was the basic person behind this idea, which consisted of bands that merely influenced them in the future.
\r\nThe first side of the album, comes to an end with the “catchy” "GETTING’ HEAVY", while the second side of the vinyl album begins with the homonymous song. Fantastic, wonderful… very simple …HYMN!!! Next, it is the nine-minute (!)«UNTO THE AGES OF THE AGES», which is deeply influenced by RUSH and GENESIS, the last part of which returns to more simple, quick and heavy forms and ….takes you over!! The album closes with "PAY NOW – LOVE LATER", with its fast, but also weird rhythm. Of course, we must mention the artwork of the album. How many other bands used the widely-known “goat” and the pentagram, with the meaning WITCHFYNDE gave before them? Even VENOM, follows up ..but later…\r\n

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\r\nMaybe this was also one of the reasons that the band was misunderstood and faulty isolated. WITCHFYNDE were far more down to earth, friendly and for sure they preferred to drink beers in the british pubs, than to worship Satan. \r\n

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\r\nIf you add also that they didn’t have a big record label or management to promote them, you can easily realize why the specific album (same as the next ones), didn’t get the success they really deserved. The suffocating atmosphere, the original and pure emotions, its honesty and authenticity , its simplicity and whim, have already been written down and stands there for those who know or want to learn…. Never is late…..\r\n

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\r\nElias Stargazer \r\n

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\r\nTranslated by: Manos Maragos
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