Wytch Hazel emerged
from Lancashire in 2011 with a vision steeped in ancient tones and devotional
themes. Fronted by guitarist and vocalist Colin
Hendra, the band’s early releases revealed a curious mixture of
twin-guitar classicism and spiritual introspection, often drawing comparisons
to proto-metal and early NWOBHM, yet distinct in both voice and purpose. Over a
string of increasingly ambitious albums—"Prelude," "II:
Sojourn," "III: Pentecost", and "IV: Sacrament"—the
band gradually refined its songwriting and aesthetic, often collaborating
closely with producer Ed Turner, whose
influence on the band’s sonic development has been deeply embedded. With
bassist Andy Shackleton, guitarist Alex Haslam, and the return of original drummer Aaron Hay, the lineup for "V:
Lamentations" reaffirms a sense of full-circle unity, arriving at a point
of maturity hard-earned through artistic and personal trials.
"V:
Lamentations" carries the weight of its name. This fifth chapter in Wytch Hazel’s saga sounds inward without
retreating, building upon familiar motifs with a more nuanced and wearied tone.
What might first appear uplifting often hides a solemn core, and what sounds
pensive sometimes ascends with subtle radiance. These shifting moods are
expressed with melodic control and structural restraint, maintaining the band’s
known character while subtly darkening its color palette.
The
production, again helmed by Ed Turner,
retains a warm analog feel that balances immediacy with depth. The arrangements
allow breathing space for reflection, even during the more galloping numbers.
Each track sits within a cohesive narrative arc, from the reflective surge of "I
Lament" to the ascending finale of "Healing Power," which closes
the album not with triumphant resolution, but with a kind of hopeful
resignation.
Guitar leads are fluid and often lyrical, not merely embellishing songs but extending their emotional reach. Colin Hendra's voice remains central, unembellished yet deeply expressive, sounding wearier here than in previous outings—intentionally so. The lyrics speak to exhaustion, doubt, recovery, and renewal, drawn from personal and spiritual struggle. These themes are never heavy-handed, but their presence lingers in the spaces between lines and chords.
This is not
an album of reinvention or spectacle. Its strength lies in patience and
honesty. Every song feels considered, drawn from the same well of introspection
that fueled "III: Pentecost" but shaped by new burdens. The return of
Aaron Hay on drums grounds the songs with
stability, while Haslam and Shackleton form a tight rhythmic bed that never
distracts from the heart of the material.
"V:
Lamentations" does not insist upon itself. It offers something slower,
more personal, and ultimately more enduring: a sound not concerned with
visibility, but with meaning. In doing so, Wytch
Hazel have created one of their most affecting albums yet.
Score: 8.2
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