The Vast Electric Dark

Witchskull

Old can be the new "new". WITCHSKULL's music harkens back to the 70s and 80s, […]
By Lauren Fonto
March 11, 2017
Witchskull - The Vast Electric Dark album cover

Old can be the new "new". WITCHSKULL's music harkens back to the 70s and 80s, with a retro sound. There is passion in their music, even if you've heard BLACK SABBATH's Toni Iommi play riffs similar to what pops up on this album. There's not a lot on these guys' pre-WITCHSKULL days, but interestingly drummer Joel Green is a former member of 80s Australian thrash band ARMOURED ANGEL. The other two guys happen to be school friends of Green.

From the opening fuzzed-out riff to the last simmering solo in the coda, the album is a nostalgic ride through proto-doom and stoner rock musical motifs. Vocalist Marcus De Pasquale reminded me a little of Richie Wise, vocalist for 70s hard rock band DUST. Unfortunately, De Pasquale's notes are a bit off here and there. I did enjoy the passion in his performance though, on tracks such as "Temple of Ly's" and "World's Away".

The band goes for a doomy, gritty feel, and the sound moves between a bluesy 70s feel and big 80s numbers. Opener "The Vast Electric Dark" is a galloping, energetic track, and one of the better numbers on the album. A complaint here though is the production, which is rather muddy. While a live, raw feel can definitely work, it doesn't quite work here. Tony McMahon's bass got lost in the mix most of the time.

For me, the back half of the album was more engaging overall. I particularly enjoyed "World's Away", "Harvest the Druid" and "Cassandra's Curse". De Pasquale also puts in some good guitar work on these numbers, with a great harmonized solo on the first track, SABBATH-like doomy riffs on the second, and a dynamic, fuzzy solo on the third number. The rhythm guitar parts are mostly solid, with smouldering riffs adding heft to the tracks.

There's potential here - with some polishing on the vocals and songwriting, the band could move from pretty good to excellent. The current wave of retro rock/doom metal isn't a bad thing, if a band can produce a unique take on the style. Maybe WITCHSKULL can do that, so I look forward to future material.

6 / 10

Had Potential

Songwriting

7

Musicianship

6

Memorability

6

Production

6
"The Vast Electric Dark" Track-listing:

1. The Vast Electric Dark
2. Temple of Ly's
3. Pan's Daughter
4. Swim the Abyss
5. Raise the Dead
6. World's Away
7. Harvest the Druid
8. Cassandra's Curse

Witchskull Lineup:

Tony McMahon - Bass
Joel Green - Drums
Marcus De Pasquale - Vocals, guitars 

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