Last Updated on 01:50 AM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Heavy/Speed
Country: Norway
Label: Alone Records
Year: 1990, 2016
Most of the band’s listeners became familiar the band itself with “1487”, but it would be unfair not to take a look at this forgotten gem, too. “The Lost Tapes” is another reissue of Witchhammer, released by Alone Records, this time for their unreleased second album, which has become known as the lost album, thus taking the title (not so long ago there was another reissue –by the same Greek label-, on Witchhammer’s legendary debut for which you can read the excellent review by Nestor Papakostas here). “The Lost Tapes” album was recorded in 1990 at Studio 1 in Sarpsborg, Norway. And while it would be a logical choice from the group to follow the same musical path with “1487”, choosing again the speed / heavy elements with Teutonic references to the limits of “Walls of Jericho” grafted with American heavy / thrash of the late ’80s, the band changed their style. Harmonized with the conditions of the era or more correctly with one of the trends of that era, the sound becomes more complicated, more technical. Nevertheless, they did not expand their limits in order to qualify as a progressive band, -a term hijacked by many imperious figures and without real artistic features, but not by Witchhammer- but without boring us, they stand out with their technical training, which is accessible for the average listener. The similarity with Paradox during the “Heresy” era is evident and there are also elements like Metal Church, early Flotsam and Jetsam, even Holy Terror. Ståle’ s voice is rough and melodic at the same time, while the breaks and the colour he sometimes adds at the bridges (“Human Rights”) or the choruses (“On My Own”) or even when he sings upon the guitar lines (“Touch Of An Angel”) could be the most suitable material for a vocals’ seminar.
Top interpretation in “The Ultimate Constellation” that sounds like Overkill of “Taking Over” era jamming “And Justice For All”. The guitars are excellent and have a charming raw tune and reap. The pummeling of the drums is straight but slightly behind in production while the bass is indistinct. The first re-release of 2000 from Dazed & Confused has been unable to meet the public’s thirst for top quality Heavy Metal. Even though they hadn’t signed a contract in 1990 and the songs hadn’t been recorded in vinyl, such is their quality that makes the acquisition of “The Lost Tapes” necessary by every collector. The rest of Witchhammer’s discography was pretty much disappointing. The reunion and the album release of “Chapter 3: In Serenity and Awe” in 2011 with singer Thomas Arntzen Dahl -until then he was substitute for Per Ståle in some live performances, who due to health issues couldn’t cover the position behind the mic- was eventually a poor choice…
5/6