{"id":15582,"date":"2025-08-31T15:53:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-31T19:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/?p=15582"},"modified":"2025-09-01T11:53:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T15:53:13","slug":"review-wytch-hazel-v-lamentations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heavensmetalmagazine.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/31\/review-wytch-hazel-v-lamentations\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Wytch Hazel – V: Lamentations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Healing Powers of Wytch Hazel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UK\u2019s Wytch Hazel is back with their 5th<\/sup> chapter of original music, their output consistent and timely since the debut Prelude<\/em> (2016). Lamentations <\/em>follows closely on the heels of 2023\u2019s breakthrough Sacrament<\/a><\/em> \u2013 the most musically accessible of their releases up to that point. The good news is this new material was crafted by the same foursome of Hendra, Haslam, Shackleton (their third in a row together) along with drummer Aaron Hay (this his 2nd<\/sup>), so expect the same quality and style to that which was offered up on Sacrament<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, and not surprisingly, the music on Lamentations<\/em> is akin to what you have heard on Sacrament<\/em>. However, as might be expected, the band has improved upon their songcraft and the production quality has improved as well. At least comparing the two CD\/digital recordings, Lamentations<\/em> has a bigger low-end (especially the bass guitar) prominence. But the style of more straight-ahead, slightly chill ’70’s-inspired rock continues throughout with the emphasis, once again, more on the melodies and words rather than instrumentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Struggles, Laments, Running and Racing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Themes this time around deal with the challenges and struggles of life (\u201cHeavy Load<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cThe Demon Within<\/strong>“), the sorrows we suffer and experience in the world (\u201cI Lament<\/strong>\u201d) around us alongside positive exhortations to carry on in faith in songs like \u201cRun the Race<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cRacing Forwards<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, for fans of those earlier releases, Wytch Hazel can still bring the folk rock elements into the mix in a way few are capable. \u201cThe Citadel<\/strong>\u201d is a wonderful hybrid folk\/rock song, almost Zepplin-esque at times, with encouraging words of hope and the refuge in the mercies of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, \u201cElements<\/strong>\u201d with the gentle acoustic guitar rhythm encourages the believer in the comfort and consistency of God\u2019s provision. The bluesy guitar solos in the middle section and on the fade-out here stand out as one of the most elegant instrumental moments on Lamentations<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n