Most of the times I disagree with the info sheets sent by the labels. They have the tendency to stuff them up with crap, mostly, that have nothing to do with the actual releases they promote. However in the case of Witchcraft I have to agree with Rise Above Records. This band surely sounds out of time. Listening to Witchcraft is like listening to a record from the 70's you have never heard before. Not only do they play exactly in the same vein as bands like Black Sabbath or Jethro Tull, they also sound 100% the same (I'm referring to the production's outcome, I'm not implying that the band simply copy / pastes).
Sweden-based Witchcraft made an impact on the Doom scene when they released on their own a 7 in 2002. Rise Above Records saw an opportunity with this band and signed them immediately. Their debut self titled album was released in 2003 and under the guidance of producer Jens Henriksson it stunned the majority of Doom fans with its amazing 60's / 70's aesthetic.
Firewood is the band's new essay. Once again the band worked with producer Jens Henriksson. Compared to their previous album the first impression is that the material in this one is less doomy and more miscellaneous. Of course there are some ultra doomy themes like Queen Of Bees but in the same time there are several songs closer to Rock. Since I'm not the biggest Doom fan in the world, I gladly accepted those innovations in the band's songwriting. Vocalist Magnus Pelander (also guitarist) has a distinct voice that sounds bizarre enough to fit like a glove with the band's music.
Production-wise the band again has this amazing back in time sound (I wonder how they do it). In conclusion I really liked Firewood. Bands like Witchcraft will never win an award for originality, but (and this but is huge) they manage to recreate the sound of the bands considered to be the backbone of our musical identity in such an honest way that they absolutely deserve our respect.