SEVEN WITCHES is a respected American band. Love 'em or hate 'em, but accept the fact the act's been performing real American Metal all these years. This DVD release - originally out via the Screaming Ferret label in autumn 2006- sees the NJ, USA quartet onstage and makes me wonder why so much Metal fans will pre-consider this kinda music as 'retro'.
The quality of the DVD is not perfect, in the first place. The sound is rather flat, while shots from cameras are rather naive every so often. The 'limited capacity' venue SEVEN WITCHES performed at does not seem ideal in bringing on some barbaric atmosphere, to tell the truth. Yet, the lighting system is fine, supporting the band's onstage appearance worthy enough. Anyway, when it comes to Metal music, you see Jack Frost and Co. blowing free as the wind and - even if many juvenile metalheads find such a release quite plane - just bear in mind what music can do to your ears. No luxury, no bright lights...just eating Metal!
James Rivera (now an ex-member) is an icon for American Metal singing. His deeds with HELSTAR legends will never fade out, while every band his participated at sees a good quality of pure Heavy Metal music. In this gig - shot in a Texas club - he again provides some phenomenal singing, mixing the 'epos' of Bruce Dickinson with the 'blade' of Rob Halford. Need more? Even if - at times - trying not to reach the top of his high-pitched voice, his throat - plus his onstage theatric performance - is a strong ace for the band. Jack Frost, on the other hand...well, what can we tell 'bout his killing riffs? A great guitarist, an addicted metalhead with supreme 'old-school' base, a positive energy performer. Even though the mediocre sound does not stand tall in revealing 100% of his potentials, it is apparent the man's built for Metal music. The rhythm section is solid enough while some 'keyboards help'donated here and there is of extra credit.
As for the setlist? SEVEN WITCHES had already recorded six albums - by the time the film was shot - and it should be mentioned that the Frost-centered band releases an album (approximately) every year. Songs off all their (till then) albums are featured in here and one-class-ahead stand killing tunes like Answer and Metal Asylum (originally sung by Bobby Lucas), Metal Tyrant and Incubus (Wade Black of CRIMSON GLORY/LEATHERWOLF fame was in these); both singers did an excellent job in the studio, but Rivera has equal balls to deliver vocals in any Metal track, I guess. Proof: listen to his Victim Of Changes inderlude during the Mental Messiah ending track.
The bonus features are a 'plus': including a band bio plus interviews with Jack Frost and relative archive/studio footage plus an all-WITCHES-vocalists medlay 'take' of the Camelot song, it's just a pity no promo video - one, I think - is included in the package, plus I'd like some more ex-members reference. Still, this is a good DVD release for lovers of American (or PRIEST-influenced European) Metal. A low-budget video, with high-quality music. I only wished the sound was more reliable...
P.S.: From a wide list of SEVEN WITCHES ex-members, just see the bands related: CRESCENT SHIELD, DESTINY'S END, NEW EDEN, DOCTOR BUTCHER, WINTER'S BANE, ARMORED SAINT, FATES WARNING, VICIOUS RUMORS, OVERLORDE, LEASH LAW, METALIUM, BRONX CASCET CO....and SAVATAGE of course!