CoC : Witchcross - Fit for Fight : Review

Witchcross - _Fit for Fight_
(Old Metal Records, 2000)
by: Alvin Wee (8 out of 10)

Undoubtedly a classic like this one (obscure as it may be) deserves more than an eight rating, but as a re-release, the somewhat lacklustre production values of King Fowley's Old Metal Records drag the score down a full point. As usual, OMR fail to capitalize fully on the release, providing their usual one-piece card cover instead of a nice thick booklet. Then again, we thank them for exhuming this long-lost slab of traditional NWOBHM-tinged metal. From red-blooded rock anthem "Rocking the Night Away" to the heavier "Killer Dogs", this Danish outfit prove there's more to the '80s than Venom or Destruction. A few listens later and you'd be hard-pressed not to hum along to a memorable tune like "Fight the Fire" or tap your feet to the excellent opener "Nightflight to Tokyo". Fans of heavier stuff like Exciter might find this a tad too "hardrock-ey", but if you've a soft spot for "real" NWOBHM, then Witchcross stands proudly among the ranks of Jaguar, Praying Mantis and Tokyo Blade. By the way, I'd safely recommend OMR's entire catalog of re-releases, just drop them a line at:

Contact: Old Metal Records, 5953 N. 10th St, Arlington, VA 22205, USA

(article published 13/3/2001)