In November, the mighty WITCH CROSS will be back in Copenhagen. On the 21st, WITCH CROSS will be playing Stengade, together with two other Danish bands: Wasted and Death Rides a Horse. See ticket information below! On November 22nd, WITCH CROSS will head up north to Oslo, Norway, where they will be playing at the venue Revolver. Special guest in Oslo will be Magister Templi.
WITCH CROSS – With two original band members (guitarist/songwriter Mike Koch, bassist Jan Normark), the legendary True Metal attack of WITCH CROSS has returned for their sophomore studio album: Axe To Grind(Hells Headbangers). These Danish Metal warriors indeed have returned! Fans of WITCH CROSS and Traditional Metal most likely never thought a follow-up to 1984’s (debut) FitFor Fight would ever come to pass; I was certainly one of them! Now I’m forever psyched-out… Metal be thy name.
Once news broke of a WITCH CROSS reunion, with live gigs and Festival performances taking flight in Europe these last two years, the momentum of this dynamic Metal band metamorphosed into a flaming Metal juggernaut! Axe ToGrind has proven to my Metal soul and senses that it’s truly a spectacular return to Metal prominence for WITCH CROSS; with the songwriting and musicianship capturing the spirit, sound, energy and total atmosphere of what this grand band was and always shall be about.
Below, Check Out The Official Video For Demon In The Mirror:
The addition of new vocalist Kevin Moore has proven to be synonymous with capturing lightning in a bottle; his experience, songwriting and frontman presence has glistened on Axe To Grind; solidifying his place in both WITCH CROSS and Metal history. Mike Koch and Kevin Moore combined to write the majority of Axe To Grind and their skillful success at combining this bands vibes of the past with today’s Metal relevancy is jaw-dropping commendable!
Axe To Grind is a Metal album you absolutely cannot overlook in 2013! WITCH CROSS have delivered and the totality of Metal splendor explodes from such mega-memorable tracks as: Demon In The Mirror, Ride With TheWind, Bird Of Prey and Metal Nation (Raise Your Hands). Axe To Grind is one of those rare Metal albums that flows together so brilliantly; I feel as if I’m discovering a Metal gem for the very first time with each thorough listen!
The double axe attack fury of Mike Koch and Paul Martin are both melodic and blazing, leaving their numerous riffs, leads and solos within my subconscious long after I’ve listened to Axe To Grind. Incredible. The vocals of Kevin Moore have been ingrained into my subconscious as well; his standout performance on Axe To Grind is absolute.
Jan Normark on bass and Lars Bjornstad on drums are a consummate rhythm section that provides the old school boom and thundercracks, further solidifying what is undeniably one of the greatest comebacks in Heavy Metal history that’s forever known as WITCH CROSS.
WITCH CROSS:
Kevin Moore – Vocals
Mike Koch – Guitars
Paul Martin – Guitars
Jan Normark – Bass
Lars Bjornstad – Drums
AXE TO GRIND – Track Listing:
March Of The Vikings
Demon In The Mirror
Ride With The Wind
Metal Nation (Raise Your Hands)
Awakening / Pandora’s Box
Axe To Grind
Bird Of Prey
Lost Without Warning
Part Of The Machine
The Killing Of Chelsea 100
Beyond The Veil
* Mastered by Flemming Rasmussen and mixed by Chris Tsangarides
FEATURED GUEST ARTISTS:
*Jax Chambers (Girlschool) – guitar solo is featured on The Killing OfChelsea 100
* Marta Gabriel (Crystal Viper) –vocals featured on Bird Of Prey
* Anders “AC” Hjort (original Witch Cross drummer)– drums on instrumental Axe To Grind
* Graham Oliver (former SAXON) – guitar solo on Ride The Wind
WITCH CROSS Will See Their Convincing Comeback Album Axe To Grind Released On July 9th, 2013, Via Hells Headbangers!
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WITCH CROSS – Yes, that’s Johan Hegg, the powerful vocalist for Sweden’s Metal Warriors famously known as AMON AMARTH, gracing the August, 2013 issue of Decibel Magazine. The AMON AMARTH feature/cover story is kick-ass for certain. However, this new issue of Decibel is multi-loaded with other Metal bands that kick-ass too… such as… Danish Metal Legends… WITCH CROSS!
Man, was I psyched-out-of-my-Metal-mind to see the great Decibel give WITCH CROSS some Metal due! With their valiant comeback to both the live stage and on album, WITCHCROSS have proven they are back and are to be reckoned with! Playing numerous Metal festivals across Europe and staying in touch with their fans through social media, WITCH CROSS have proven they have both a killer new album for their legions of fans and are down-to-Metal-Earth Metal defenders as well!
Here’s what the Decibel “upfront profile” feature of WITCH CROSS looks like… Metal be thy name!
The incredible Metal comeback story of the legendary WITCH CROSS can best be heard and enjoyed through their NEW studio album: Axe To Grind. This MUST album of True Metal will be released through Hells Headbangers on July 9th, 2013!
Order your copy of Axe To Grind by clicking the link below! Whoa!
WITCH CROSS – Honestly, the Metal comeback story of the legendary WITCH CROSS is one for the METAL ages. Who would think this Metal band would ever return? And return they have! With a Metal vengeance! With their (also legendary) peers SATAN making a Metal comeback as well in 2013, I couldn’t be more overflowing with Metal glee!
What’s so remarkably impressive about this WITCH CROSS Metal comeback are their (obvious) connection to their fans, their wooing same fans at various European Metal festivals and the lead single, Demon In The Mirror, from their forthcoming NEW studio album: Axe To Grind.
Metal as my witness, Demon In The Mirror has made me feel like a Metal kid again; making me feel the way I did when I first heard such classic Metal songs as: You’ve Got Another ThingComin’ (Judas Priest), Denim And Leather (Saxon), Power (Rainbow) and Bark At The Moon (Ozzy). Why those particular songs? Call it Metal imbedding in my (very own and personal) Metal soul and call it delicious Metal elements all coming together.
Demon In The Mirror exhibits elevated Metal vibes of profound substantial levels, is Old School and has a quasi-energetic outro (courtesy of guitarist Mike Kock) that (to me) rivals what the incredible Jake E. Lee had accomplished so brilliantly with the song classic Bark At The Moon. Kev Moore was born to sing Metal. This band was born to play Metal. For me, Witch Cross has created a thunder strike of Metal bliss with Demon In The Mirror.
Listen to and watch Demon In The Mirror below. If it doesn’t blow you away, your listening to the wrong genre of music. Metal be thy name.
Mastered by Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Morbid Angel, Blind Guardian) and mixed by Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Anvil), WITCH CROSS Axe to Grind is the band’s first full-length of all-new material since 1984’s Heavy Metal classic Fit for Fight, reissued to widespread acclaim last year by HELLS HEADBANGERS.
Picking up where they left off in the glorious ’80s, WITCH CROSS nevertheless inject their trademark power & glory with a newfound urgency and grit that never betrays their roots in the ancient ways of heavy metal mayhem. Neither “old school” nor “new school,” WITCH CROSS prove that the masters are back – and school’s in session! Check out the amazing cover art, at top of post! Track listing for Axe to Grind are as follows:
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Track Listing For WITCH CROSS – AXE TO GRIND
01. March of the Vikings
02. Demon in the Mirror
03. Ride With the Wind
04. Metal Nation
05. Awakening-Pandoras Box
06. Axe to Grind
07. Bird of Prey
08. Lost Without Warning
09. Parl of the Machine
10. Chelsea 100
11. Beyond the Veil
Says guitarist Mike Kock: “WITCH CROSS are thrilled to be working with HELLS HEADBANGERS on the new album Axe to Grind. We were blown away with the work that HELLS HEADBANGERS did with the re-release of Fit for Fight and the box sets etc. We couldn’t ask for a better and more supportive label!”
In preparation for this monumental comeback album, WITCH CROSS have unleashed a flurry of teasers for Axe to Grind. The first video from the album, Demon in the Mirror can be viewed in its entirety below:
Additionally, a teaser for the album can be seen below:
In other WITCH CROSS news, the band will be co-headlining the SunValley Metalfest in Italy with Rotting Christ on June 28-30. Following that, WITCH CROSS will play their hometown of Hilleroed, Denmark on May 31 and also a Swedish festival at the start of June, to be announced soon. Thereafter, WITCH CROSS will be playing shows all across Europe this summer in promotion of Axe to Grind.For more info, consult the official WITCH CROSS website at www.witchcross.dk.
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* To read the exclusive Metal Odyssey interview with WITCH CROSS’ dynamic lead vocalist, Kev Moore, click on the link below!!
Well, the day has finally arrived when we can share with you the brand new video shot by Peter Hansen, of our first track from the forthcoming ‘Axe to Grind’ album, ‘Demon in the Mirror,’ released shortly on Hells Headbangers Records and written by guitarist Mike Koch and myself, its just one of a whole bunch of in your face metal anthems coming your way this summer…..Enjoy!
WITCH CROSS lead vocalist Kev Moore has confirmed today, their new studio album Axe To Grind is now with Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Morbid Angel) and mastering is underway! WITCH CROSS is also confirmed for the Sun Valley Metal Fest in Italy on Friday, June 28th.
Soon Demon in the Mirror, the first single, will be promoted with a brand new video produced by Peter Hansen.
For more information on this Sun Valley Metal Fest, click on the link below!
WITCH CROSS – Lead vocalist Kev Moore of Metal legends Witch Cross has recently took time out of his unreal busy schedule to do an exclusive interview with Metal Odyssey. A huge Metal thank you to Kev for being so obliging! Below you’ll read about Kev reflecting on the writing of the forthcoming Witch Cross album: Axe To Grind. Kev also speaks with the utmost respect for the Metal legacy in which Witch Cross has earned; as well he speaks the same for his band’s former and current members.
Band chemistry, special (well-known) guest musicians on Axe To Grind, playing the Metal festival circuit and (of course) the fans of Witch Cross, are all touched upon by this talented and charismatic frontman. It’s been many years since the last Witch Cross studio release; that being 1984’s Roadrunner Records release of Fit For Fight. It’s a new Metal era for this Danish rooted Metal band. The fans never went into hiding, Metal never died and now… Witch Cross is back! Here’s what Kev Moore had to say:
Stone: Kev, how excited are you and the entire Witch Cross band & camp to see ‘Axe To Grind’ release?
Kev: We’re totally psyched-up about this release Stone – it’s very, very important to us, as ‘Fit for Fight’ has achieved such a cult status in the Metal world, all these years later we knew it would be a hard act to follow. But we think we’ve stayed true to the ethic of the original, never losing sight that ‘The song is King’.
Stone: Can you tell us Metal faithful how cool it is to have Chris Tsangarides do the mixing for ‘Axe To Grind’?
Kev: To have Chris mix the album is a huge Metal bonus for us. We had him in mind right from the start, and we are great admirers of his work in this genre, his track record speaks for itself! We knew he could help us stay true to the genre and the era from which our music is born.
Stone: Can you elaborate on the flow and chemistry as you and (guitarist/founding member) Mike‘Wlad’ Kock wrote songs for ‘Axe To Grind’? Anyone else contribute to the songwriting?
Kev: Finding a songwriting partner that is easy to work with and complements your own ideas is not an easy task. Primarily, you have to check your ego at the door, and be prepared to have the other guy say ‘I don’t like what you did there’ or ‘that sucks!’ because you need to focus on what is best for the song, nothing else. When Mike sent an idea over for me to look at way before we even got deep into the ‘Axe to Grind’ project, and we started ‘ping-ponging’ the ideas back and forth, I immediately knew we could write together. Mike is prolific and fast, as am I. We worked at a furious pace, honing the material to how we wanted it. I want to give huge credit to Mike, who really kept his eye on the ball regarding his vision for this album, keeping it true to the band and the genre. In addition, we really wanted to make this album very inclusive, and ‘Part of the Machine’ was co-written with our bassist, Jan ‘Little John’ Fields, and ‘Metal Nation’ was co-written with guitarist Paul Martin. To take the ‘inclusive’ vibe further, we have our original drummer from ‘Fit for Fight’, Anders “A.C” Hjort as a guest on several tracks too.
Check out the teaser video below for Axe To Grind… Whoa!
Stone: How did your guest musicians Marta Gabriel, Graham Oliver and Jax Chambers all come on board for this exciting Metal chapter in Witch Cross history?
Kev: We’re so pleased to have these great Metal mates on board for this album! I’ve known Graham for many years, I sang with Oliver/Dawson Saxon for two tours before Wardi joined them and both Graham and I have guested on each others albums in the past. It was natural to want him to contribute to ‘Ride with the Wind’ which is a motorcycle song in the best Saxon tradition! I also get to play bass on that one, so it’s Graham and I together again like the first tour we did. We worked with the fabulous Crystal Viper at Metal Magic in Denmark last year, and Marta’s amazing vocals just knocked us out! It was an honour to have her take the part of the ‘Bird of Prey’, she just rips it to shreds… fantastic Metal stuff!
We’ve known Girlschool for years, often getting the same flights to and from Germany to shows. Jax was a natural to ask to contribute and she’s great fun! She laid down a great solo for ‘Chelsea 100’. What was also cool was my son Corey did the recording of Graham and Jax over in the UK for us, so we kept it in the family! It’s truly an honour to have these three great artists share this album with us. They rock!
Stone: Which are your favorite songs on ‘Axe To Grind’ or is the entire album a favorite?
Kev: It’s REAL hard to pick a favourite, throughout the process it’s changed…but if I had to pick one, it’s probably ‘The Killing of Chelsea 100’. I love the time signature changes and I’m very proud of the lyrics, which reference much of the history and people who went through that famous New York hotel. That said, the album as a whole is a fine body of work, in my obviously biased opinion!
Kev Moore
Stone: Have you performed any new songs ‘live’ yet? If so, how have the fans responded?
Kev: Yes, we’ve been performing ‘Demon in the Mirror’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’, and I have to say, we were blown away by the fans reaction! When you realize that they also have to deal with me as the ‘new’ vocalist singing the old songs and then hearing new stuff on top, it really gave us a great feeling as we were recording ‘Axe to Grind’.
Stone: Are there songs that didn’t make the cut for ‘Axe To Grind’ that (hopefully) will land on a future EP or studio album?
Kev: Hell yeah! We had so many ideas coming out that we’re well on the way to another album’s worth of material already! We had to think long and hard about what to leave off this one and things are shaping up nicely so that we hope it won’t be another 28 years between releases!
Stone: What can you tell your Metal brethren about the ‘live’ Witch Cross experiences you’ve had thus far?
Kev: You know, playing ‘Keep it True’ in Germany last year was immense for us. It was SO important. We didn’t really know how we’d be received, whether we could recapture any of the magic the band had back in the day, and from a personal perspective, whether I would be accepted as the new frontman, because, and I want to go on record with this: Alex Savage’s vocal performance on ‘Fit for Fight’ was a tour de force – it’s a superb piece of work. I’m no stranger to filling a role though. Going out singing Saxon’s catalogue with Graham Oliver, Nigel Durham and Steve Dawson was a big task too and the experience probably helped me when we resurrected WITCH CROSS.
Kev: The fans reaction was truly amazing. You must remember, as is so often the case with Metal, this music gets ‘handed down’ from older brothers, or indeed through generations and there are many people who know the old songs, who never thought they’d ever hear them performed live. Some of the messages of support we’ve had have been wonderful, and the instances of meeting many of the fans at the great festivals such as Metal Magic and Heavy Metal Maniacs in Holland have been very important to us. It is a symbiotic relationship. The band IS its fans, it is our raison d’etre. Without their enthusiasm, their approval, their support, I doubt this album would have been made.
Stone: What are the release dates for ‘Axe To Grind’ in North America, Europe and the UK?
Kev: We have a tentative worldwide release for the beginning of April, but nothing more definite than that at the time of writing. I DO know that our wonderful label Hells Headbangers, will be issuing it in on both CD and 12″ vinyl. More news as we get it!
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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