Revolving doors are quite prevalent in the metal, punk, hardcore, and indie rock worlds. Inevitably, there will be bands that experience numerous lineup changes yet manage to keep touring and recording because someone is determined to keep the band active regardless of how many musicians he or she goes through.
Seven Witches is such a band. Between 1999 and 2005,
Seven Witches was the epitome of a revolving door; singers, bassists, and drummers came and went. But the constant was always guitarist/founder
Jack Frost, and this early 2006 release finds the ex-
Savatage member leading a lineup that also includes drummer
Jeff Curenton, bassist
Kevin Bolembach, and lead singer
Alan Tecchio (who some folks might know from the bands
Hades,
Watchtower, and
Non-Fiction).
Amped is
Tecchio's first album with
Seven Witches, and he goes for an old-school vocal style in the
Bruce Dickinson/
Ronnie James Dio vein -- an approach that is highly appropriate given that
Seven Witches is a power metal outfit with a strong '80s fixation.
Amped, quite frankly, isn't nearly as risk-taking as the albums
Frost has recorded with
the Bronx Casket Co., an excellent, goth-drenched alternative metal band. But originality isn't everything -- and while
Amped isn't the least bit groundbreaking, it is a decent effort that finds
Frost continuing to wear his
Priest/
Iron Maiden/
Grim Reaper/
Manowar heritage like a badge of honor. Original material dominates this CD, although
Tecchio and
Frost sound quite inspired on an unlikely remake of
Billy Idol's "Flesh for Fantasy." The original version was such a classic that trying to emulate
Idol would have been pointless -- and so,
Seven Witches does the smart thing and puts a different spin on "Flesh for Fantasy," which works surprisingly well as headbanger music. Bottom line:
Amped isn't a breathtaking masterpiece, but it's a respectable effort that's worth hearing if one is a die-hard fan of '80s power metal.