Witchcraft (SWE)

Satan's coming 'round the bend

The devil is dancing a merry jig in Hell, for Witchcraft, the retrodoom pioneers from Sweden, are coming to Ilosaari! Some heathens claim that the modern music is infected by an overdose of retro, but they clearly don't know that there is a difference between retro and Swedish retro. For reasons beyond comprehension, Swedish bands have the knack for delving into the great ideas of the 1970s in a way that sometimes leads them to new, darker depths. Witchcraft has left behind the status of a retro band long time ago, and evolved into the standard bearers of doom metal!

Formed in the early 2000s, Witchcraft was meant to be a tribute band for Roky Erickson and Pentagram's Bobby Lieblind. And they were a good one, too. In fact, their debut album for Rise Above Records was so good that Lieblind himself had to leave his coffin to sing Pentagram covers on Witchcraft's American tour.

Witchcraft has taken influences from the progressive doom of Black Widow, from the rowdy and rough Leaf Hound and from Pentagram's slow, tight and malicious riffs. They've done it with such force that even the most fervent retro trashers have been converted by the unholy power that the band blasts from their timer-worn amps. Witchcraft's sound may remind of the seventies, but the music in itself is timeless, impressive, and stirring.

With their amazing latest album Legend, Witchcraft leaves behind the final rags of a tribute act and dons the mantel of a legend. This summer is the perfect time to follow Witchcraft into the Netherworld and face the fiery breath of Hell. Occult rock comes alive on the sweltering fields of Ilosaarirock Festival!

• www.witchcrafthome.com
• facebook.com/witchcraft