American power metal band from New York. Fronted by guitarist Jack Frost. Their sound is not unlike that of Metal Church. This band changes members more often than they release albums. Past and present members can also be found in Helstar, Fates Warning, Crimson Glory, Savatage, Metalium, Destiny's End, Flotsam & Jetsam, Engine and Armored Saint.

SECOND WAR IN HEAVEN (1999) MASSACRE

Seven Witches debut album is a fine start for a new band. It's one of the easiest bands to describe, as they play plain and simple power metal. The music reminds me a lot of Metal Church. The reason might also be Bobby Lucas voice. Imagine a cross between David Wayne (Metal Church, Reverend, Wayne) and Les Carlsen (Bloodgood) and you'll know what you are in for. There is not much more to say about this album, other than that I like it, and it gets played every now and then. If you like power metal, you like 'Second War In Heaven'. "The Chain" is a Fleetwood Mac cover, while "Metal Daze" is of course originally a Manowar tune. None of them are very memorably done here.

Got my booklet signed by Jack Frost (twice??) after a Savatage concert.

Killer tracks: Camelot, Seven Witches, In A Small Childs Room, Second War In Heaven

CITY OF LOST SOULS (2000) MASSACRE

Second album from the American power metallers, led by Jack Frost. And this is one killer CD!! Packed with power riffs and veiling vocals. Again a comparison to Metal Church is in order. But they are by no means any clone band. They simply play the same form of metal, but perhaps without the thrash metal references that the Seattle band had. Bobby Lucas sounds great, and has the perfect voice for this band, in my opinion. And there are plenty of choice cuts present on 'City Of Lost Souls'. Check out "Witching Hour" and the title-track, then check out the melodic chorus in "We Are The Coven". Man that sounds like something Edguy would do! Yes, this CD has it all, and should be essential to any lover of pounding metal (pun intended)!. Metal doesn't get more metal than this! "Hell Is For Children" is a Pat Benatar cover, and "Pounding Metal" an Exciter cover.

Killer tracks: They are all great!!

XILED TO INFINITY AND ONE (2002) NOISE/SANCTUARY

I had such high hopes for this 3rd release from Seven Witches. Not only do The Mountain King himself, Mr. Jon Oliva, guest on it. But their new singer is none other than Wade Black, joining this band right after his demise from Crimson Glory. Joe Comeau (Annihilator, Overkill, Liege Lord) also makes an appearance. So this just had to become one heck of a power metal album! But my expectations must have been a little to high I guess. Don't get me wrong, this is still a good album. I just expected even greater things. The songwriting skills have been neglected a bit in my opinion, and only the title track stick out as a favorite. I prefer their earlier discs over this one. "See You In Hell" is a cover of the fantastic Grim Reaper classic.

Killer tracks: Xiled To Infinity And One

PASSAGE TO THE OTHER SIDE (2003) NOISE/SANCTUARY

Another Seven Witches album, and another line-up! Geez, Jack Frost and his all-star line-up's are really starting to become a cliché! Well, this time he's teamed up with none other than James Rivera and Joey Vera (if you don't know these names without an introduction, then you are not metal enough to even read this write-up! LOL). The album is another fine power metal rampage, balancing on the edge of US power metal and classic European heavy metal. A song like "Mental Messiah" sports a heavy Judas Priest influence, whilst other cuts sounds more like the band Mr. Rivera used to sing for. The cool thing about Seven Witches is that they have their own sound, yet they also remind me so much of many other bands I really like. See if you can't get the Annihilator vibe of "Apocalyptic Dreams" for example. 'Passage To The Other Side' is a return to form for this band! "Wasted" is an awesome Def Leppard cover.

Killer tracks: Dance With The Dead, Mental Messiah, Fever In The City, Betrayed, Passage To The Other Side

YEAR OF THE WITCH (2004) NOISE/SANCTUARY

Jack Frost and his metal pals are at it again. Their 5th offering delivers more American power metal, but this time with a twist. The second half of this album is a concept story. But to be quite honest, I have not sat down to figure out what the story is all about. And quite frankly, it is probably the part of the CD I like the least. In fact I found the entire album to be sort of a letdown at first. After a while I grew to like some of the songs though. "Metal Asylum" was one of the tracks I at first could not quite get the hang of, but now I sort of like it. The lyrics is a huge part of the reason why. It is made up of many metal phrases, names, titles etc. Sort of a heavy metal homage, if you will. Too bad that not even James Rivera can hold my interest up throughout this entire album.

Killer tracks: Metal Asylum, Cries Of The Living

AMPED (2005) REGAIN

A new year, a new line-up, a new record company, a new Seven Witches album! Yes, folks, it's Jack & co. once again delivering a new batch of heavy metal songs for your pleasures! New vocalist this time around is Alan Tecchio, known for his work in Non-Fiction, Hades and WatchTower. Like all the other singers this band has gone through, Alan is another powerhouse wailer, that fits the music perfectly. Too bad Jack can't seem to get at least one of them to join on a more regular basis. Musically this is just what you would expect from Seven Witches. This is pummeling heavy metal, power metal, borderline thrash (at times) with screaming guitars, and a thunderous rhythm section. The songs are mostly riff based and fast, but we get some slower elements too, like in the semi-ballad, "BE". The Iron Maiden-esq finish in "Widows And Orphans" is also worth mentioning. 'Amped' is a step in the right direction after the letdown 'Year Of The Witch' was for me. But I still can't get as excited from this effort as I was when I first heard CD's like 'City Of Lost Souls' and 'Passage To The Other Side'. And I could most definitely have done without the cover of Billy Idol's "Flesh For Fantasy".

Killer tracks: West Nile, Sunnydale High, BE, Widows And Orphans

Jack Frost guest appearances:

Rob Rock - 'Eyes Of Eternity'

Distant Thunder - 'Welcome The End' (also as producer)

Liberty N' Justice - 'Independence Day'

Frost - 'Raise The Fist Of Metal'