Metal Caravans

Genre: Heavy Metal

TRACKLIST:

1.    Metal Asylum    03:54   
2.    Year Of The Witch    03:56   
3.    Fires Below    04:16   
4.    Cries Of The Living    04:18   
5.    If You Were God    04:02   
6.    Can't Find My Way    04:31   
7.    Whispers    00:42   
8.    Voice Of Jacob    03:43   
9.    Mirror To Me    01:17   
10.    Haunting Dreams    03:52   
11.    Jacob Speaks    00:04   
12.    Circles    02:22   
13.    The Prophet Is You    04:37
14.    Dream Or Reality    00:20

Line Up:

James Rivera - Vocals
Jack Frost - Guitars
Dennis Hayes - Bass
Craig Anderson - Drums

"Year of the Witch" is one of those rare but welcome CDs that grabs you from the very first track and holds you enraptured through the entire recording. A lot of this has to do with the CD's opening tune, "Metal Asylum," which is a heartfelt anthem to the bands that helped create and develop the heavy metal sound. It's as irresistible a tune as there can be and, once it comes to a close, you're ready for more from Seven Witches.
Thankfully, the band delivers. That inspiring anthem is followed by the solid title track and then the Judas Priest flavored "Fires Below." Of the remaining two songs on "Side 1" (more about that in a minute), "If You Were God," written by former Megadeth member Dave Ellefson, is the highlight, a powerful, poignant rocker (not a ballad!).
Now, back to that "Side 1" comment. "Year of the Witch" is really divided up into two sections. The first section plays like a normal CD - a group of songs that are really separate from one another. The second section is a seven song "concept album" entitled "Jacob." Although "Jacob" is only about half of "Year of the Witch," with another tune or two, it could easily stand on its own. Although it feels a little awkward having a concept storyline as only part of a full-length album, "Jacob" manages to tell its story completely and with rock solid power.
As one might expect, guitarist Jack Frost is fantastic here, taking metal clichés and building upon them, making them become something more than just something someone else has played a million times before. Vocalist James Rivera does his Ronnie James Dio voice in the foreground and sometimes adds his King Diamond voice in the background. The result is captivating and original and gives the CD added depth.
The songwriting, as usual, is above average and this time out at least part of that can be attributed to Joey Vera, who co-wrote six of the CDs 14 songs.
Yes, there are those who will complain that "Year of the Witch" doesn't really explore any new ground but I, for one, am thankful for that. This CD is exactly what I wanted to hear from Seven Witches and the fact that I've listened to this CD at least every other day since I received it - without once getting tired of it - is evidence enough for me.