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WYTCH HAZEL return with their fifth album and invite us to embark on an epic journey while serenading us with an ode to the triumphant and perseverant warrior. Battling inner demons on a quest to redeem the anti-hero within, the Lancastrian outfit sets their sights on conquering an epic narrative with just as gallant a sound.
The album has some major high points. Most notably the lyricism of Colin Hendra who purposefully wrote the themes open ended to invite interpretation and offers the chance to relate with the lyrics individually. The melodies of sprawling contemplative pieces like The Citadel catch you unconsciously humming along and after a couple of listens you’re hypnotically chanting to the glory of the citadel. WYTCH HAZEL certainly know how to craft a song and Colin knows how to explore a narrative.
But overall, the pace is noticeably slow. On songs like Run the Race and Elements regal harmonised guitars ripped from the Heavy Metal playbook greet us and sets the heart racing, only to lose the pace in the verse and never fully recover. Frustratingly, this is a running theme throughout the record and it’s less of a question of what’s missing and more of a question why with such spacious ballads, the band refrain from layering the songs to take the record to new heights.
Arguably, the band isn’t represented collectively and the album exists to exclusively serve the guitars and vocals. The drums and bass play it safe leaving the guitars to do the heavy lifting. With no energy in the rhythm section we’re running on fumes and it leaves you to wonder what would have happened if they broke ranks to really make the album gallop.
Another aspect to consider is if you’re going to trust in your guitar playing as your weapon of choice, you’ve got to let it rip with some truly extravagant solos or at least make the crunching guitar parts more exuberant to bolster the intensity. Where we do get some kick-ass guitar work, they’re over before they’ve had the chance to flourish. Just as we’re ascending to the heavens like our Heavy Metal forefathers, we come crashing back down to Earth.
On the flip-side, when we listen to instrumental piece Elixir we’re met with a haunting low vocal harmony stalking the otherwise valiant, whimsical composition. In doing so, the four-piece forge an aura of courageous hope in the presence of unsettling incoming danger. It’s these spine-tingling nuggets where it becomes apparent what the band is aiming for.
Fans are going to enjoy the world that WYTCH HAZEL have crafted. However, the Achille’s heel of the album is the glaring juxtaposition of the epic lyrical content with the dragging lack-lustre power. Regardless the record is effortlessly enjoyable and the rock warriors can march on with a solid album to add to their discography.
Rating: 6/10
V: Lamentations is out now via Bad Omen Records.
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The post ALBUM REVIEW: V: Lamentations – Wytch Hazel appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.
