REVIEW: WYTCH HAZEL – IV: SACRAMENT

The holy warriors from Lancashire, England are back to save your soul with some spiritual rock ‘n’ roll!

Wytch Hazel refuses to let your tortured spirit slip away into the lonely void! Just like the albums that came before it, IV: Sacrament iterates on a timeless sound used to deliver inspirational messages of spiritual conflict and divine providence. Frontman Colin Hendra has documented the creative struggles and process of creating this album on many livestreams to fans and the work has certainly paid off. Before we get into it, let’s see what’s in store from the fine people at Bad Omen Records:

For many all-time-great rock bands in the ascendant, the fourth album is often the point where youthful years of febrile creativity and progressive momentum culminate in a masterwork for the ages, setting the seal on an early signature sound while opening it up to future possibilities. From enchanting 2016 debut Prelude, through 2018’s assured II: Sojourn, to 2020’s wizardly III: Pentecost, each Wytch Hazel album has embodied that old-fashioned notion of unstoppable progress, and the glittering treasure chest that is IV: Sacrament proves eminently worthy of rising to the toughest challenge. Not just the Lancashire quartet’s most classically beautiful production, but their strongest yet front-to-back collection of affecting hooks and ageless melodies.

A very tough challenge it was, too; records this good don’t get banged out willy-nilly, and Jimmy Page, Ian Anderson and Freddie Mercury didn’t have to fit recordings in between day jobs and school runs. “This album has been a trial,” sighs founding singer/guitarist Colin Hendra with his head in his hands, his voice full of cold. “It’s been a tough few years for everyone, which plays into it, but it was exhausting. Working full time, trying to be a dad and husband, running the band, writing the albums – and being a complete control freak about every aspect of the process…” Colin breaks off and chuckles at his Eeyorish approach to album promotion. “But there’s no gain without pain!”

The triumphs and tragedies are written all over IV: Sacrament. Working closely again with regular producer Ed Turner, Colin’s God-given gift for diamond songwriting has been enhanced to majestic proportions with Ed’s Roy Thomas Baker doozy of a production job, his expressive sonic trickery sublimely underscoring the varied musical moods. “Me and Ed like the same albums, so we’re singing from the same hymn sheet every time,” enthuses Colin. “We love the Sabbath production, obviously Martin Birch, and the Queen albums; we want it to sound like Wytch Hazel, which it kind of always does, but we want it to also have that classic sort of quality.”

Colin describes his working relationship with Ed as “perfectionism amplified. We’re a good match but bad at the same time! It takes ages to get an album done, but if it’s going to be done we want to do it right.” The new studio looked promising: a converted Baptist chapel in rural Wales, chock full of vintage gear. However, with personal reasons forcing drummer Jack Spencer to step back from the band (subsequently departing in September 2022), Colin took on the additional laborious task of completing all the drums himself. As well as all the vocals, lyrics, lead guitar and drums to fret over, there were so many mysteriously blown cabs, amps and vocal cords you might suspect the Devil was trying to stop anyone else getting the best tunes. “I don’t know why we have such bad luck,” groans Colin. “Engineers were scratching their heads, like ‘how have you done this?!’”

Now Sacrament is finally offered – and sounds as fantastic as it does after all the blood, toil, tears and sweat – you might think Colin could finally bask in the glory of this resounding achievement, but he’s not even fully comfortable taking credit for his own songs. “When I listen back there are multiple times when I’m like, I don’t even know how this happened,” he ponders. “I know I wrote it, but I don’t feel complete ownership over them. It has that sense in which… there’s something else, and I’m a part of it.” On previous albums, specific influences were readily discernible, and although Angel Of Light tips a nod to Angel Witch and Endless Battle nails the sweet spot between Steeleye Span and Judas Priest, Sacrament’s ten songs zero in on a sound and style that’s all their own. With assertive, explosive earworms like The Fire’s Control, Strong Heart and A Thousand Years and the profound emotive magnetism of Time And Doubt, Deliver Us and Digging Deeper, Wytch Hazel revel in their distinctive Wytch Hazelness. Colin’s Christian faith continues to inform much of his lyrical outlook, but there’s a disarming openness and emotional force that might have you reaching for the Kleenex.

“It’s some of the most honest songwriting I’ve ever done,” Colin reflects, “and they come from a darker place, I think. I’m getting older, that comes through in some lyrics: ‘see my body breaking’, ‘I’m digging deeper’, ‘time’s running out…’ I struggle to see the positive a lot of the time, so the songs end up being negative, the subject matter coming from constant striving.” Among all the doomsayer tendencies, gorgeous sylvan acoustic strum Future Is Gold proclaims a radiant optimism, but it’s more hope in the eternal than an expectation of earthly improvement. “It’s rooted in scripture,” Colin explains, referencing the Book of Haggai: ‘the glories of this latter house will be greater than the former’. “I struggle to believe that half the time, with the state of the world, but who knows what level that is? Will the afterlife be better, when all suffering has ended, or is what we see as better not actually better? If things are always going comfortably, it isn’t always the best thing for us. An element of suffering is necessary.”

Suffering has clearly been necessary for the creation of the fourth Wytch Hazel album; let’s hope for Colin’s sake the next one requires a bit less. “I’ve blown my own mind a bit,” he concludes. “And even after all this painstaking work, I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of what we could be doing musically. I wish I could have a month to work on one song, and go on a tangent a bit. I will in the future, it’s going in the right direction. I’ll get to the stage when I can commit more time and do an odyssey or something!”

-Bad Omen Records

Wytch Hazel specializes in spiritually-themed heavy rock that sits in that sweet spot between rock and metal. It’s something I usually call the “UFO-Zone” where people with less aggressive rock tastes and the hardest metalheads can find common ground to enjoy an artist. It’s the wellspring from where the NWOBHM and NWOTHM movements flow and the band is smart to tap into it to spread their message. All the hallmarks of their sound are present here and while it’s not so different from the previous albums, IV: Sacrament rewards the listener by adding depth and texture as well as a rich production quality to the formula. Let’s break it down track by track:

1. The Fire’s Control kicks off the proceedings with the familiar Thin Lizzy-esque double guitar harmonies that Wytch Hazel uses to great effect. The previous albums have all sounded great to my ears but the production here is much fuller. This really allows the catchy melodies to take hold and the band sinks its hooks deep into your being. Colin Hendra’s vocals are very distinctive which is another factor that helps the band stand above so many others in this space. He’s in control, he’s comfortable, but he has no shortage of conviction. This is a strong opening that paves the way for what’s to come.

2. Angel of Light was chosen as one of the singles to promote the album and it’s easy to see why. This is Wytch Hazel at its very best. This is the band in microcosm. The guitars, the vocals, the tight rhythm section, the wholesome message, it’s all here! If someone has never heard of this band before, this is the perfect track to send their way and get them on board this holy train.

3. Time and Doubt dials things back a bit with a more relaxed pace which is welcome after the strong 1-2 punch of the opening tracks. This song tackles a more universal theme in the passage of time and what happens when you look back at days past. Should you look back and learn from what has come before, or will you only get your heart broken? It’s a subject that anyone who’s lived a life can relate to. If you’re young and don’t feel this yet, trust me… you will!

4. Strong Heart stomps back into heavier territory with a mighty kick drum beat and chunkier riffage to set the stage. It’s always nice when a song just sounds like what you picture in your head when you read the title! This is a classic rocking anthem, inspiring the listener to break free of their chains and overcome the darkness, whatever it may be.

5. Deliver Us might be the dankest track the band has released so far. The guitar effects are laid on thick right from the get-go which establishes a more ’70s psychedelic vibe and sets it apart from the rest of the album. This powerful guitar lick interjects with the lyrical sections which are a plea from the downtrodden, calling for a hero. Does salvation lie with a higher power, or with you, the listener? You can’t help but be inspired and motivated by what is being communicated by these songs.

6. A Thousand Years busts out more twin guitar attack, this time accompanied by a classic galloping riff, which is a very welcome NWOBHM staple! This is one of the more overt tracks on the album in terms of its message, specifically mentioning Christ, Satan, and the payment for sins. This is powerful imagery and it’s used to great effect.

7. Gold Light is a pleasant 90-second instrumental that guides us gently towards the next track.

8. Endless Battle begins with a riff that is firmly in full-blown metal territory. This is a heartfelt declaration of intent. Our hero is facing his foes head-on, knowing that victory is assured with the backing of a higher power that guides him. The powerful choruses are punctuated with nicely layered acoustic interludes. The twin guitars kick in soon after and it fulfills the promise of wholesome metal goodness.

9. Future Is Gold is a ballad, and thankfully Wytch Hazel write them wonderfully. These classically folksy tunes on each album always have a timeless quality to them. This could be sung around a campfire with fellow bards or at a church gathering amongst the faithful. Metal fanatics tend to scoff at ballads, but they might be my favourite part of each album from the band. Religion in its unadulterated form does promise to save people, but it’s songs like this that reach those who are hurting and actually make it possible.

10. Digging Deeper takes us home in very grand fashion. This song is just beautiful. Every element just comes together perfectly. The dancing twin acrobatics of both clean and overdriven electric guitars, the thumping bass line, the hopeful vocals calling out for salvation. If this album is indeed an invocation of blessedness, it’s hard to call this closer anything other than a benediction.

Before I can complete my review of the album, I need to address the elephant in the room. This album is just like the other albums in Wytch Hazel‘s catalogue in that it’s heavily rooted in and inspired by Christianity. Christian tropes and archetypes are used to great effect in order to project a powerful and inspiring message. I still highly recommend this album to just about anyone with an open mind. I don’t hesitate in saying that because unlike other “Christian” rock acts, I can actually feel the honesty in the band’s belief. There’s a feeling of hope and triumph here that is just so different from rock and metal that is inspired by high fantasy or other sources. While the songs do mention Christ and Satan specifically, the themes are more universal than one might think. Sin is a powerful thematic subject that has been with heavy metal from its inception. Judas Priest regaled us all with tales of sin and redemption beginning with Sad Wings of Destiny in 1976 and they have yet to write an album without at least one song addressing it. Priest is in the name, after all!

With all of that out of the way, I can now say that IV: Sacrament is another smashing success from Wytch Hazel that continues to build upon the sound that’s been established in previous albums. The only knock I have against it is that it follows what came before a little too closely. However, if you’re looking for more of what Wytch Hazel are brewing then this record is undeniable.

Wrapping Up:

Wytch Hazel continues to succeed at using a timeless dichotomy as a canvas. It’s a battle for good and evil, light and dark, or God and The Devil. All you have to ask yourself is if the battle is out there or if it’s happening within your very soul. If you’re struggling to deal with everyday life, a bump in the road, or just need a solid serving of inspirational heavy rock, Wytch Hazel is here to save you.

THENWOTHM SCORE: 9/10

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Read our recent interview with Wytch Hazel!

INTERVIEW: WYTCH HAZEL (UK)