Witchcraft (band)
Encyclopedia
Witchcraft is a Swedish
hard rock
band founded in 2000.
) formed Witchcraft in 2000 in order to record a tribute to Pentagram
's Bobby Liebling and Roky Erickson
. The "No Angel or Demon
" single was released in 2002 by Primitive Art Records which caught the ear of Lee Dorrian
's label Rise Above Records
, who quickly signed them. A year later, the band were brought back together with Jonas Arnesén taking the place of original drummer Jens Henriksson, and his brother Mats taking Ola's place on the bass. Their debut album, Witchcraft, was worked on in a basement studio with vintage equipment, which gave them their very seventies-esque sound. Mats left the band almost immediately after the recording was done. Mats was also the drummer in the surf trio "The Hollywoods" and 50's rockin "Eva Eastwood & the major keys" In mid-2004, the band toured Europe with Orange Goblin
and Grand Magus. The band recorded their second album, Firewood
, in England, which was released on Rise Above in 2005. That same year the band toured the UK in support of Corrosion of Conformity
, backed by the "Chylde of Fire" single. In mid-2006, Jones Arnesén left the band and was replaced by original drummer, Jens Henriksson. The band toured the US in latter part of 2006 with Danava
. During this tour, on November 11, 2006, Witchcraft performed at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, DC. For their encore they played Pentagram
covers ("When the Screams Come" and "Yes I Do") with Bobby Liebling on vocals. Following their US tour they returned to the studio and recorded the single "If Crimson Was Your Colour
." This was released on 7" vinyl by Rise Above on November 6, 2006. Following the single Jens Henriksson once again left Witchcraft and was replaced by Fredrik Jansson (formerly of Abramis Brama
). Their third and most recent album, The Alchemist, was released on October 8, 2007 by Rise Above Records (UK), Leaf Hound Records
(Japan), and Candlelight Records
(US). Shortly after The Alchemist, Witchcraft released a split 12"
with The Sword
on Kemado Records
. The EP features versions of two previously banned in sweden songs. The cult played the front stage on the one day Ozzfest 2009. In 2010 Magnus Pelander released a four track solo EP via Svart Records and is currently working on the solo full length album. Current members Ola Henriksson and John Hoyles along with former member Jens Henriksson formed a new band called Troubled Horse and released a 7" single in early 2010. John Hoyles is also in a band with the drummer of Graveyard
called Spiders. Jens Henriksson is also in The Wait a band with Joakim Dimberg bass player for Dead Man
.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band founded in 2000.
History
Magnus Pelander (formerly of NorrskenNorrsken
-History:Norrsken, which translates to aurora borealis from Swedish, formed in 1995 originally under the name Winterorb. They put out two demos, Norrsken and Hokus Pokus, as well as a 7" single, "Armageddon." The band is best remembered as guitarist Magnus Pelander's band prior to forming Witchcraft...
) formed Witchcraft in 2000 in order to record a tribute to Pentagram
Pentagram (band)
Pentagram is a American heavy metal band from Virginia, most famous as one of the pioneers of doom metal. The band was prolific in the underground scene of the 1970s, producing many demos and rehearsal tapes, but did not release a full-length album until reforming in the early 1980s with an almost...
's Bobby Liebling and Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson
Roky Erickson is an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.-Biography:...
. The "No Angel or Demon
No Angel or Demon
"No Angel or Demon" is the debut release from the Swedish doom metal band Witchcraft. The single was released by Primitive Art Records in 2002. The version of "No Angel or Demon" is the same version that appears on Witchcraft, however the version of "You Bury Your Head" is different from the...
" single was released in 2002 by Primitive Art Records which caught the ear of Lee Dorrian
Lee Dorrian
Lee Dorrian is a singer from Coventry, England. Originally the editor/publisher of the Cov punk fanzine "Committed Suicide" he then went on to be the singer and lyricist with Napalm Death and recorded one and a half albums with them, namely the second half of Scum and From Enslavement to...
's label Rise Above Records
Rise Above Records
Rise Above Records is a London, England based independent record label owned by Lee Dorrian . It is named after a Napalm Death song from their EP Mentally Murdered. It was formed in the late 1980s and originally made to sell live releases by Napalm Death and S.O.B., but by 1991 had changed to cater...
, who quickly signed them. A year later, the band were brought back together with Jonas Arnesén taking the place of original drummer Jens Henriksson, and his brother Mats taking Ola's place on the bass. Their debut album, Witchcraft, was worked on in a basement studio with vintage equipment, which gave them their very seventies-esque sound. Mats left the band almost immediately after the recording was done. Mats was also the drummer in the surf trio "The Hollywoods" and 50's rockin "Eva Eastwood & the major keys" In mid-2004, the band toured Europe with Orange Goblin
Orange Goblin
Orange Goblin are a stoner metal band from the United Kingdom that formed in 1995. The band's lineup currently consists of singer Ben Ward, guitarist Joe Hoare, bassist Martyn Millard, and drummer Chris Turner.-History:...
and Grand Magus. The band recorded their second album, Firewood
Firewood (album)
Firewood is the second album from the Swedish doom metal band Witchcraft. The album was released in 2005 by Rise Above Records. At roughly 8:50 in to the last track "Attention!", there is a cover of the Pentagram song "When the Screams Come". The vinyl edition does not include "When the Screams...
, in England, which was released on Rise Above in 2005. That same year the band toured the UK in support of Corrosion of Conformity
Corrosion of Conformity
Corrosion of Conformity is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina formed in 1982. For almost the majority of its existence, the band has consisted of guitarist Woody Weatherman, bassist Mike Dean , drummer Reed Mullin and vocalist and rhythm...
, backed by the "Chylde of Fire" single. In mid-2006, Jones Arnesén left the band and was replaced by original drummer, Jens Henriksson. The band toured the US in latter part of 2006 with Danava
Danava
Danava is an American hard rock band from Portland, Oregon. Their music fits into the categories of heavy metal, progressive, and psychedelic rock. They take influence from early hard rock, progressive rock and heavy metal.- Biography :...
. During this tour, on November 11, 2006, Witchcraft performed at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, DC. For their encore they played Pentagram
Pentagram (band)
Pentagram is a American heavy metal band from Virginia, most famous as one of the pioneers of doom metal. The band was prolific in the underground scene of the 1970s, producing many demos and rehearsal tapes, but did not release a full-length album until reforming in the early 1980s with an almost...
covers ("When the Screams Come" and "Yes I Do") with Bobby Liebling on vocals. Following their US tour they returned to the studio and recorded the single "If Crimson Was Your Colour
If Crimson Was Your Colour
"If Crimson Was Your Colour" is a single of the Swedish doom metal band Witchcraft released by Rise Above Records in 2006. Both tracks were previously unreleased.-Pressing information:...
." This was released on 7" vinyl by Rise Above on November 6, 2006. Following the single Jens Henriksson once again left Witchcraft and was replaced by Fredrik Jansson (formerly of Abramis Brama
Abramis Brama (band)
-Biography:Abramis Brama formed in 1997 when Dennis Berg and Fredrik Jansson got together to start a band. Jansson was originally slated to play bass in the new band but shifted to drums when a drummer could not be found. The band solidified by 1998 when they recorded their first demo. The band...
). Their third and most recent album, The Alchemist, was released on October 8, 2007 by Rise Above Records (UK), Leaf Hound Records
Leaf Hound Records
Leaf Hound Records is a Japanese record label specializing in 60s and 70s inspired stoner/doom metal. The label takes its name from the 70s hard rock band Leaf Hound. Leaf Hound Records has released material from Japanese bands such as Church of Misery and Sonic Flower, US bands such as Blood...
(Japan), and Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records
Candlelight Records is an independent record label based in Europe founded by former Extreme Noise Terror bassist Lee Barrett, though it has had a division in the United States since January 2001. Candlelight Records specialises in black metal and death metal, having bands such as Emperor,...
(US). Shortly after The Alchemist, Witchcraft released a split 12"
The Sword/Witchcraft split
-Personnel:The Sword*J. D. Cronise – vocals, guitars*Kyle Shutt – guitars*Bryan Richie – bass, engineering, mixing*Trivett Wingo – drumsWitchcraft*Magnus Pelander – vocals, guitars*John Hoyles – guitars...
with The Sword
The Sword
The Sword is an American heavy metal band that formed in Austin, Texas, in 2003. Since its inception the band has comprised vocalist and guitarist John D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt and bassist Bryan Richie, and currently includes touring drummer Jimmy Vela following Trivett Wingo's departure in...
on Kemado Records
Kemado Records
Kemado Records is an American record label based in New York City founded in 2002. In 2006 the label released the Invaders compilation, which featured many of the label's bands alongside other hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Witchcraft, High on Fire and Witch.In 2008, Kemado introduced its...
. The EP features versions of two previously banned in sweden songs. The cult played the front stage on the one day Ozzfest 2009. In 2010 Magnus Pelander released a four track solo EP via Svart Records and is currently working on the solo full length album. Current members Ola Henriksson and John Hoyles along with former member Jens Henriksson formed a new band called Troubled Horse and released a 7" single in early 2010. John Hoyles is also in a band with the drummer of Graveyard
Graveyard (band)
- History :Joakim Nilsson, Rikard Edlund , Axel Sjöberg, and Truls Mörck formed Graveyard in 2006. When Norrsken disbanded in 2000, guitarist Magnus Pelander went on to form doomy folk metal act Witchcraft and Nilsson and Edlund joined Albatros, a growly blues rock band whose lineup also included...
called Spiders. Jens Henriksson is also in The Wait a band with Joakim Dimberg bass player for Dead Man
Dead Man (band)
Dead Man is a psychedelic rock band from Örebro, Närke, Sweden formed in 2003. The band’s sound is highly influenced by 60’s and 70’s psychedelic rock/folk rock as well as other musical genres.- History :...
.
Studio albums
- Witchcraft CD/LP (Rise Above RecordsRise Above RecordsRise Above Records is a London, England based independent record label owned by Lee Dorrian . It is named after a Napalm Death song from their EP Mentally Murdered. It was formed in the late 1980s and originally made to sell live releases by Napalm Death and S.O.B., but by 1991 had changed to cater...
2004) - FirewoodFirewood (album)Firewood is the second album from the Swedish doom metal band Witchcraft. The album was released in 2005 by Rise Above Records. At roughly 8:50 in to the last track "Attention!", there is a cover of the Pentagram song "When the Screams Come". The vinyl edition does not include "When the Screams...
CD/LP (Rise Above RecordsRise Above RecordsRise Above Records is a London, England based independent record label owned by Lee Dorrian . It is named after a Napalm Death song from their EP Mentally Murdered. It was formed in the late 1980s and originally made to sell live releases by Napalm Death and S.O.B., but by 1991 had changed to cater...
2005) - The Alchemist CD/LP (Rise Above RecordsRise Above RecordsRise Above Records is a London, England based independent record label owned by Lee Dorrian . It is named after a Napalm Death song from their EP Mentally Murdered. It was formed in the late 1980s and originally made to sell live releases by Napalm Death and S.O.B., but by 1991 had changed to cater...
2007)
Singles/EPs
- "No Angel or DemonNo Angel or Demon"No Angel or Demon" is the debut release from the Swedish doom metal band Witchcraft. The single was released by Primitive Art Records in 2002. The version of "No Angel or Demon" is the same version that appears on Witchcraft, however the version of "You Bury Your Head" is different from the...
" 7" (Primitive Art Records 2002) - "Chylde of Fire" 7" split w/CirculusCirculusCirculus are a psychedelic folk/progressive rock band from South London, England, founded by vocalist Michael Tyack.The band uses a mix of modern and medieval instruments, such as the lute, cittern, crumhorn and rauschpfeife, along with the moog synthesizer, bass and electric guitars...
(Rise Above RecordsRise Above RecordsRise Above Records is a London, England based independent record label owned by Lee Dorrian . It is named after a Napalm Death song from their EP Mentally Murdered. It was formed in the late 1980s and originally made to sell live releases by Napalm Death and S.O.B., but by 1991 had changed to cater...
2005) - "If Crimson Was Your ColourIf Crimson Was Your Colour"If Crimson Was Your Colour" is a single of the Swedish doom metal band Witchcraft released by Rise Above Records in 2006. Both tracks were previously unreleased.-Pressing information:...
" 7" (Rise Above RecordsRise Above RecordsRise Above Records is a London, England based independent record label owned by Lee Dorrian . It is named after a Napalm Death song from their EP Mentally Murdered. It was formed in the late 1980s and originally made to sell live releases by Napalm Death and S.O.B., but by 1991 had changed to cater...
2006) - Split 12" EPThe Sword/Witchcraft split-Personnel:The Sword*J. D. Cronise – vocals, guitars*Kyle Shutt – guitars*Bryan Richie – bass, engineering, mixing*Trivett Wingo – drumsWitchcraft*Magnus Pelander – vocals, guitars*John Hoyles – guitars...
with The SwordThe SwordThe Sword is an American heavy metal band that formed in Austin, Texas, in 2003. Since its inception the band has comprised vocalist and guitarist John D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt and bassist Bryan Richie, and currently includes touring drummer Jimmy Vela following Trivett Wingo's departure in...
(Kemado RecordsKemado RecordsKemado Records is an American record label based in New York City founded in 2002. In 2006 the label released the Invaders compilation, which featured many of the label's bands alongside other hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Witchcraft, High on Fire and Witch.In 2008, Kemado introduced its...
2007)
Compilation tracks
- "Queen of Bees (live)" on Invaders (Kemado RecordsKemado RecordsKemado Records is an American record label based in New York City founded in 2002. In 2006 the label released the Invaders compilation, which featured many of the label's bands alongside other hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Witchcraft, High on Fire and Witch.In 2008, Kemado introduced its...
2006) - "Sweet Honey Pie" on Scandinavian Friends, a Tribute to Roky EricksonRoky EricksonRoky Erickson is an American singer, songwriter, harmonica player and guitarist from Texas. He was a founding member of the 13th Floor Elevators and a pioneer of the psychedelic rock genre.-Biography:...
(Fat People Are Harder to Kidnap Records 2007)
Band members
- John Hoyles - guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Fredrik Jansson - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Ola Henriksson - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Magnus Pelander - vocals and guitar