10 years passed already since the first studio appearance by Wytch Hazel. With slow but steady steps the band established a credible brand that grew with every new music it created and its fame was built through the proper fermenting process of “from mouth to mouth”. Thus we reached the third full length release that catapulted the band to the cream of the crop of the contemporary underground movement literally overnight. The whisper became a roar. But is this fuss justified? The answer is definitely yes. And that is because III Pentecost is made from all the proper material. Being fixated on the past is not enough if you want to present an inspired work of art. Neither are the sufficient musical abilities if you don’t have the right ideas to channel them through. Wytch Hazel has studied the past. The band has meticulously dissected the British sound of the 70s as introduced mainly by Wishbone Ash and Uriah Heep while at times the resemblance to the unacknowledged Pagan Altar is truly moving. And if all these elements are not enough, the group outmatches the competition through the way it approaches the overall production of the album. Instead of choosing the pretentious retro sound means that most of the similar groups do, the tracks sound crystal clear, fresh and dynamic. The twin guitars are delightful and present an ideal match for the dreamy epic/heroic texture of the compositions while the keyboards make their appearance only when necessary. Without further chatter, I firmly believe that when it comes to that particular sound, Wytch Hazel delivered the album of the decade. Possibly until its successor…
