Witchcraft

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Witchcraft
Magnus Pelander of Witchcraft.
Background information
Origin	Örebro, Sweden
Genres	Doom Rock, Doom Metal, Psychedelic Rock
Years active	2000-present
Labels	Rise Above Records, Nuclear Blast, Kemado Records, The Music Cartel, Candlelight Records USA, Metal Blade Records
Associated acts	Norrsken, Graveyard, Troubled Horse, Pentagram
Website	Facebook
Current members	Magnus Pelander Tobias Anger Rage Widerberg
Past members	Ola Henriksson Jens Henriksson John Hoyles Mats Arnesén Jonas Arnesén Fredrik Jansson Oscar Johansson Tom Jondelius Simon Solomon
Band Logo

Witchcraft are a band from Örebro, Sweden. Active since 2000, the band's sound incorporates elements of hard rock, psychedelic rock and doom metal citing Pentagram and Roky Erickson as key influences. The band themselves acknowledge themselves as a "heavy rock" band rather than a "doom metal" band.

History

Formation and Witchcraft (2000 - 2004)

Magnus Pelander (formerly of Norrsken) formed Witchcraft in 2000 in order to record a tribute to Pentagram's Bobby Liebling and Roky Erickson. The intention was to only record the tribute songs and perform one live show but ultimately plans changed. The "No Angel or Demon" single was released in 2002 by Primitive Art Records, which caught the ear of Lee Dorrian's label Rise Above Records, who quickly signed them. A year later, the band were brought back together with Jonas Arnesén taking the place of original drummer Jens Henriksson, and his brother Mats taking Ola's place on the bass.

Their debut album, Witchcraft (2004), was worked on in a basement studio with vintage equipment, which gave them their very seventies-esque sound. In mid-2004, the band toured Europe with Orange Goblin and Grand Magus (Even sharing the stage with them and Monster Magnet for the 2004 edition of Roadburn Festival.

Firewood and The Alchemist (2005 - 2008)

The band eventually recorded their second album, Firewood, in England, which was released on Rise Above in 2005. That same year the band toured the UK in support of Corrosion of Conformity, backed by the "Chylde of Fire" single. A tour of Europe with Monster Magnet was in the works but ultimately canceled due to Dave Wyndorf being hospitalized.

In mid-2006, Jonas Arnesén left the band and was replaced by original drummer, Jens Henriksson. The band toured the United States for the first time in the latter part of 2006 with Danava. During this tour, on November 11, 2006, Witchcraft performed at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, DC. For their encore they played Pentagram covers ("When the Screams Come" and "Yes I Do") with Bobby Liebling on vocals. Magnus Pelander described the experience with the following in a 2007 interview:

“	“That was last year [2006]. It was quite weird. The story behind him, the drugs and everything, made me very sad. But everyone chooses their own life, in a way. He was a nice guy.”	”
	— Magnus Pelander, L.A. Record

Following their US tour they returned to the studio and recorded the single "If Crimson Was Your Colour". This was released on 7" vinyl by Rise Above on November 6, 2006. Following the single Jens Henriksson once again left Witchcraft and was replaced by Fredrik Jansson (formerly of Abramis Brama).

Their third album, The Alchemist, was released on October 8, 2007 by Rise Above Records (UK), Leaf Hound Records (Japan), and Candlelight Records (US). Shortly after The Alchemist, Witchcraft released a split 12" with The Sword on Kemado Records. A tour of the United States followed in the fall of that year.

Hiatus and Legend (2012 - 2013)

Sometime after touring with Graveyard in 2009 and a string of dates in 2010 the band would go on a hiatus. Eventually in May 2012, the band announced that they had signed with Nuclear Blast Records with a new lineup featuring two new guitarists, a new drummer and Magnus Pelander strictly on vocals.

Their fourth studio album, Legend, was released in September 2012 with a string of European shows surrounding it. In an interview with The Sleeping Shaman, bassist Ola Henriksson explained the hiatus and label change:

“	“"Life has been good! Here is the reason to the hiatus. First we toured for 2 years on The Alchemist album and then we took one year off because we needed some time apart. During that year, John and Jansson quit. After that Magnus and I decided to go for it even though it was only us two left. We spent a few months putting together ideas for the album, ( in the basement where we recorded the first album), whilst looking for new band members. When we finally found three new musicians it took us one year to finalise the songs for the album, then a few months of recording and now we are finally here! We moved from Rise Above because we felt that a change in members and label would be good for us. When Nuclear Blast said that they were interested we thought about it for a while and the decided that it would be a step in the right direction!"”	”
	— Ola Henriksson, The Sleeping Shaman

Second Hiatus and Nucleus (2015 - Present)

Sometime after a touring cycle of Europe in 2013, Witchcraft would go on another hiatus for a few years. On October 28, 2015 Witchcraft would announce a new lineup (Reverting to a three-piece with the departure of Solomon, Jondelius, Johansson and longtime bassist Ola Henriksson.) along with their fifth album "Nucleus" being finished and set to be released on January 15, 2016. A single of the song "The Outcast" with a b-side of Nirvana's "Even In His Youth" was also announced and set for release on December 4.

As far as the writing process and future touring, Magnus Pelander stating the following in a December 2015 interview with Noisefull:

“	“[About starting from Norrsken and evolving] Yes evolution, of course. But at the same time you don't have to think it too much, you know 'I HAVE to evolve'. You might have an intension, but sometimes you get stacked and I guess you have to accept that as well (laughs). [About touring] Yeah...the touring is... Actually the main focus was to record the album at first and at the moment I have to be honest with you there are no show booked yet so unfortunately I don't know yet (laughs).”	”
	— Magnus Pelander, Noisefull

Discography

Studio Albums

• Witchcraft (2004, Rise Above Records)
• Firewood (2005, Rise Above Records)
• The Alchemist (2007, Rise Above Records)
• Legend (2012, Nuclear Blast)
• Nucleus (2016, Nuclear Blast)

Splits and Singles

• No Angel Or Demon (2003, Primitive Art)
• Chylde Of Fire (Split With Circulus) (2005, Rise Above Records)
• If Crimson Was Your Colour (2006, Rise Above Records)
• Witchcraft / The Sword (Split with The Sword) (2007, Kemado Records)
• It's Not Because Of You (2012, Nuclear Blast)
• The Outcast (2015, Nuclear Blast)

Members

Current Lineup

• Magnus Pelander - Guitar, Vocals (2000 - Present)
• Tobias Anger - Bass (2015 - Present)
• Rage Widerberg - Drums (2015 - Present)

Past Members

• Ola Henriksson - Bass (2000 - 2003, 2004 - 2014)
• Jens Henriksson - Drums (2000 - 2003, 2006)
• John Hoyle - Guitar (2000 - 2012)
• Mats Arnesén - Bass (2003 - 2004)
• Jonas Arnesén - Drums (2003 - 2006)
• Fredrik Jansson - Drums (2006 - 2012)
• Oscar Johansson - Drums (2012 - 2014)
• Tom Jondelius - Guitar (2012 - 2014)
• Simon Solomon - Guitar (2012 - 2014)

External Links

• Facebook Page
• Official YouTube page.
• Glitzine Interview
• Metal Glory Interview
• Hawk-Metal Interview
• Rebelx Interview from 2005.

References

V·T·E Witchcraft
Selected Members, Present and Past	Magnus Pelander • Ola Henriksson • Jens Henriksson • John Hoyles • Mats Arnesén • Jonas Arnesén • Fredrik Jansson
Studio Albums	Witchcraft • Firewood • The Alchemist • Legend • Nucleus • Black Metal
Other Releases	No Angel Or Demon • The Sword / Witchcraft
Magnus Pelander Solo Releases	A Sinner's Child • Time
Selected Associated Bands, Etc.	Norrsken • Troubled Horse • Graveyard • Count Raven • Abramis Brama • Truckfighters • Angel Witch