WICKED MINDS – WITCHFLOWER – 2006 (IT) vintage heavy progressive/stoner rock

“Witchflower”is our fourth studio record .We think that the song-writing, performance and sound make this one our best work since the beginning even though, quoting Ken Hansley cover notes from “The magician‘s birthday”, we thought the same about the previous records and we’ll probably think the same about the new ones to come. The opening track ”Through my love” dates back to 1993 and it’s been rearranged for the new line-up, a catchy up-beat reflecting Wicked Minds hard roots.”Witchflower”, the title-track, pretty much sums up the new direction we wanted to follow on this record; a melodic intro makes way to a hard rock advancing where voice, guitar, and Moog get their own room to express. ”A child and a mirror” is the most introspective song of the record with the most articulated sounding: inspired vocal nuances now whispered now screamed and the melting between electric and acoustic sounds make this seven minutes song a changing musical palette. ”Here comes the king” was written two weeks before we got in the recording studio, it’s a “Wicked “classic cut, pounding and rattling, great vocal harmonies and a ravaging Hammond solo amplified in the Marshall. ”Before the morning light” is one of the first songs written for the new record and sure a complex one. Classical recalls and the evocative use of acoustic guitars, Mellotron and Minimoog take your mind back to hard prog classics at the beginning of 70’s. ”Burning tree” is an acoustic moment that re-propose ”Garden of burning tree” lyrics from our first record. The dreaming vocals enrich the acoustic guitars phrasing by Lucio and J.C., while the flute and Waldorf synthesizer tell us wondrous stories embroidering suggesting melodic lines. ”Shadows train” is a track written two days before the recording sessions this is why it sounds so straight, fresh and aggressive. It has a simple structure letting us go with our solos the way we love it. This is the perfect stepping-stone for Andrea’s unique drumming who can feel free to show off his powerful 70’s style. ”Black Capricorn fire” is the song nobody would expect from us. The five fourth rhythm section, the smooth vocals, the Hammond and guitars clean sounds are replaced in the second part by refined and soothing melodies where the flute flies light and free. ”The court of the satyr” is the second acoustic moment of the record. J.C.’s guitar plays some medieval and ethereal melodies flying the listener to wide green expanses, to land in the end on the sidereal spaces with the ARP intro of “Sad woman” a dark heavy sounding song based on a powerful guitar riff and on an acid synthesizer. The second part is a small tribute to some blacksploitation atmospheres, wah wah strumming, percussions and Rhodes piano, where vocals trips bring back Plant’s memory. From the sidereal spaces it’s a ride back to plunge into the dark ”Scorpio Oyissey” the most complex and far the longest track on the album. The three parts of the song end with an astonishing saxophone solo going on until the end ex- abrupto. We ended the record with “Soldier of fortune” a Deep purple cover, paying homage to a band we undeniably love. We tried to stick to the original version though we enriched it a little with our typical sound and mark and a heartfelt instrumental coda. Great performance by J.C. on a song which is sure not easy to measure on. We are aware we are going to ask something more to our listeners with “Witchflower”, in that it is a complex record and not at all an immediate one. We hope with all our hearts it will pass on all the love and passion we put into it

- Paolo "Apollo" Negri / keyboards
- Enrico Garilli / bass
- J.C. Cinel / lead vocals, guitar
- Andrea Concarotti / drums
Guest musicians:
- Gianni Azzali / flute, saxophone
- Tony "Face" Bacciocchi / congas

1 Through My Love 5:02
2 Witchflower 4:41
3 A Child and a Mirror 7:13
4 Here Comes the King 3:45
5 Before the Morning Light 8:00
6 Burning Tree 4:34
7 Shadows Train 5:23
8 Black Capricorn Fire 8:12
9 The Court of the Satyr 2:48
10 Sad Woman 9:25
11 Scorpio Odyssey 13:21
12 Soldiers of Fortune 6:21

If you like classic Uriah Heep ('73-'76), then you'll love Wicked Minds. I mean they really, really sound like Heep from the wah-wah drenched guitar to the Ken Hensley like hammand and analog synth. The band does thrown in some mellotron and flute to give some additional flavor. The drumming is better than in Heep offering greater variety and technical prowess. I should also mention that the production on this album is great. Everything is clear when it's supposed to be and a powerful wall of sound when it needs to be. They can definitely play with power in that funky Heep style. But they do have a lighter side as reflected in the acoustic track.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Rip from CD 256@ (full artwork included)
Download links
http://link-protector.com/262443/
http://link-protector.com/262444/