WITCHCRAFT - Alchemist (CD)

With this, their third album, Witchcraft finally achieved what they had always threatened, a record that saw them move away from the obvious "doom-rock" tag into something much more vibrant. Their biggest seller to date, The Alchemist (2007) finds the group at ease with their playing and songwriting and not reliant on distortion, down-tuned guitars or screaming vocals to achieve a heavy sound. As soulful as it is gnarly, check out "Hey Doctor" where addictive melodies flow simultaneously with crushingly heavy riffs, whilst remarkably managing to maintain a relaxed and laid back feel throughout. The intricate contrasts between The Alchemist's heavier moments and gentle psychedelic passages create a truly alluring and varied atmosphere, reflecting the mind of musical alchemist/bandleader Magnus Pelander at work.