WITCHBREED is a relatively new band, formed in 2006 by Ares (bass) and Dikk (guitar). After guitarist Filipe, drummer Hollow and singer Ruby joined in, the band spent the next year doing a lot of live shows and gaining a lot of positive reviews for their performances. The Portuguese WITCHBREED are now ready to present their debut album, Heretic Rapture, which was produced by Waldemar Sorychta (MOONSPELL, TIAMAT, SAMAEL, LACUNA COIL).
To tell you the truth, if I was quite afraid before listening the album that this would be another Gothic or something release, enriched with all the cliches of this genre since the cover artwork has a tendency towards that. But to my surprise, I couldn't be more wrong. This release has been really well worked music-wise, filled with powerful and heavy songs proving that having Ruby in vocals was indeed an excellent choice. Any gothic-style or operatic female voice would definitely not do the job in filling WITCHBREED's music and that's for sure.
Heretic Rapture has everything it needs in order to be characterized as a strong debut album of any band. All musicians know their work very well and the vocals manage to play an equal role in the music, both enhancing it and filling it perfectly, something you can't easily find when adding female vocals and real Heavy Metal. There is a freshness in WITCHBREED's sound and a promise that they have a lot more to say. Heavy riffs and powerful singing, yet not losing their groove nor their catchy profile, although in many cases it seems like song parts are not perfectly stitched together, plus there is a tendency of repetitiveness throughout the album. Still, this is their first release and it is miles ahead from what you would call a typical female-fronted band.
These guys and girl can certainly draw your attention. Definitely waiting for what more they have to say.