Interview

Making Traditional Metal Cool Again: "We're taking back the metal," is the opening statement spoken on the first track on the album, (Xiled to Infinity and One) and Seven Witches couldn't be any more right. New Jersey metalhedz, Seven Witches are surely bringing back the sound of 80's heavy metal with ferociousness and style. "It's just back to the roots; pure metal no holds barred," says guitarist and founder, Jack Frost and it is those old-school roots that has ultimately made Seven Witches seem so new. In the 1990's metal music lost it's footing and virtually disappeared from the market place. MTV and rock radio abandoned the genre for the grunge era and the fans followed. Although 80's metal never completely died, it did loose its trendy crossover appeal toward to the mass-market place. Many main-streamers were turned off to metals flirtation with the occult and evil ambiance and in effect old-school metal was left underground. Now, with the resurgence of so-called 'nü-metal' it seems as if the genre got hit with a breath of new life. Although 'nü-metal' has more hip-hop flavor and isn't as concerned with vocals and substance as it is with flash and style- it still led a fresh, young, hip fan base into the dark corners of metal mayhem. "Its all good; I think its cool," Frost says of his nü-metal brothers, "Cus' now we can push old metal too. Trust me, it has and needs a place." Not swayed by current fads, Seven Witches stays true to the traditional metal sound. Vocalist, Wade Black's voice is a cross between such vibrato kings as Geoff Tate, Bruce Dickinson and Axl Rose yet; he still manages his own signature sound. Jack Frost's guitar chops are right on the money. He delivers sharp riffs with sheer intensity and ferocity that would have made Glen Tipton proud. Although their overall sound resembles early metal acts like Iron Maiden, Metal Church, Metallica and Judas Priest there is a particular freshness within their music. "I just took all that from the 80's and put it with sound and production of today." Says Frost, "I mean 80s metal was the best." "Xiled to Infinity and One" can possibly be the album to bring traditional heavy metal back to the surface. Songs like "Warmth of Winter" & "Eyes of an Angel" offer an incredibly tight mix of old & nü-metal that will, if given a chance, bring traditional 80's metal into the 2000's and become accepted by the main-stream once again. Frost; "We are not tryin' to fit. We're just tryin' to give a little old-school back to the new scene."

Interview with Jack Frost of Seven Witches

In your own words, tell me what fans should expect to hear on "Xiled To Infinity and One?"

FROST: Just back to the roots pure metal no holds barred..

Seven Witches has an 80's metal vibe, no doubt, but what different elements do you bring to the mix that gives it such a fresh edge?

FROST: so many things. I mean 80s metal was the best. I just took all that and put it with sound and production of today.

How would you describe your music?

FROST: powerful heart-driven classical metal

Who are your metal influences?

FROST: God so many.. Kansas, Priest, Maiden, Sabbath.. Just any band with a killer riff..

What is your opinion on the current state of metal music?

FROST: well its came along way. it was dead for awhile. But, it seems like its making a major comeback.. Thank God

What so you think about Nu-metal? Rap metal?

FROST: Its all good. I think its cool, But now if we can push old metal too. Trust me it has and needs a place..

What would you like to see happen in the future of heavy metal?

FROST: Just not always being put down.. The 80s where great, it made MTV. How quick they forget..

What inspires your music?

FROST: Just life.. Everyday is a song being written

Where do you guys fit in within the metal circuit?

FROST: Well, we are not tryin' to fit in... We are just tryin' to give a little old-school back to the new scene..

Whats next?

FROST: Go on tour in May. Then come back and try to top this CD.