Witchcraft (band)

Witchcraft are a Swedish doom metal band founded in 2000.

Magnus Pelander (formerly of Norrsken) formed Witchcraft in 2000 in order to record a tribute to Pentagram's Bobby Liebling^[1] and Roky Erickson. 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. Their debut album, Witchcraft, was worked on in a basement studio with vintage equipment, which gave them their very seventies-esque sound.^[2] In mid-2004, the band toured Europe with Orange Goblin and Grand Magus.^[3] The band recorded their second album, Firewood, in England, which was released on Rise Above in 2005. That same year the band toured the U.K. in support of Corrosion of Conformity, backed by the "Chylde of Fire" single.^[3] In mid-2006, Jones Arnesén left the band and was replaced by original drummer, Jens Henriksson. The band toured the US in 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 two Pentagram covers ("When the Screams Come" and "Yes I Do") with Bobby Liebling on vocals.^[3] 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 and most recent album, The Alchemist, was released on October 8th, 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. The EP features alternate versions of three previously released songs.

• Witchcraft CD/LP (Rise Above Records 2004)
• Firewood CD/LP (Rise Above Records 2005)
• The Alchemist CD/LP (Rise Above Records 2007)

• "No Angel or Demon" 7" (Primitive Art Records 2002)
• "Chylde of Fire" 7" split w/Circulus (Rise Above Records 2005)
• "If Crimson Was Your Colour" 7" (Rise Above Records 2006)
• Split 12" EP with The Sword (Kemado Records 2007) (to be released November 13, 2007)

• "Queen of Bees (live)" on Invaders (Kemado Records 2006)
• "Sweet Honey Pie" on Scandinavian Friends, a Tribute to Roky Erickson (Fat People Are Harder to Kidnap Records 2007)

• John Hoyles - guitar
• Fredrik Jansson - drums
• Ola Henriksson - bass
• Magnus Pelander - vocals and guitar

• Jonas Arnesén - drums
• Jens Henriksson - drums

• Official website
• Official MySpace page
• Template:Amg
• Witchcraft discography at MusicBrainz