As I Hide

5 reviews for As I Hide

1. Amazings.com – November 27, 2014

   In the current alternative musical panorama, there are bands and artists that have something new to say and others that don’t. Witchcraft no doubt belong to the former. From the precise instant of the beginning of the album, we witness a display of creative, sonic energy of a high degree. None of the themes included in the album goes to waste. Synthesizers and guitars, percussion and vocals, everything is aimed at a work that in some instances overwhelms the audience. As I Hide shows that electronic music has not abandoned the originality that characterized it in the beginning. Also magnificent is the album cover, which becomes a poster.

2. Sonic Boom.com – November 27, 2014

   Witchcraft has taken some of the best elements from space rock, traditional industrial and ambient music and cast a spell upon their debut album. The end result is the creation of a fuzzy dreamlike atmosphere when experiencing the album in it’s totality from start to finish. Creative sound dispersion and sample alteration function brilliantly within a mesh of abstract percussion and sequencing that evoke a vibrant almost happy go lucky style of music. One might even go far as to suggest that they are developing an bubblegum style of pop music which just happens to utilize a large portion of non pop oriented musical techniques.

   Witchcraft unwrapped a fresh look into what has been an increasingly single facet ambient genre. Instead of focusing of exorbitant soundscapes and aural whitewashes, Witchcraft has tried to develop depth and change within their orchestration. A few of the tracks even have a lyrical accompaniment which accentuates the music as opposed to detracting from it as it would in a traditional ambient arrangement. If you’ve become bored with some of the more popular ambient artists perhaps you should give Witchcraft a chance to enlighten your palette and broaden your musical mind.

3. Admin – November 27, 2014

   Review by Graham Getty, SMD.

   This is the debut CD from US band Witchcraft who are Andrew Arbetter on Guitar, and John Buehler on everything else including vocals. ‘Mindfire Wish’ is a provocative opener which juxtaposes heavy rhythmics with ambient synth touches and some impressive guitar work. Whispered speech adds another dimension to the sound. ‘Open Ways’ features a loping rhythm and treated vocals and is the type of track which doesn’t do that much yet leaves a lasting impression. ‘X-Position’ repeats the formula and adds pulsating sequences to the mix, and again it’s a thought provoking offering. The track fades into ‘Abstentia’ which presents some of the scariest effects and noises I’ve heard.

   Try listening to this with the lights out! ‘Return to Me’ serves strained vocals upon a bed of freshly tossed rhythmics and ambient effects. ‘Iridescent’ is a potent, almost disturbing, mixture of elements which again has massive presence and meaning. This is heavy, dark matter which will appeal to those whose tastes lean towards the Gothic, industrial, and supernatural. Now and again a track comes along which really grabs the imagination and cannot be ignored. ‘We Rest’ is such a track. Brilliant Vocoder vocals toy with latent synth layers as waves wash around the soundstage. It’s an absolutely fascinating piece of modern ambience which I’m sure will sound as fresh in 10 year’s time. Amazingly the blistering form continues with ‘Cathedral’ which is probably the most commercial piece on the album with superb rhythmics and sequences interplaying with fine guitar which is judged to perfection. The final track ‘Love on a Battleship’ opens with a drum roll, throws in some more of those scary effects then launches into an orgy of samples to end the album in real “off the wall” fashion. This is a truly inventive and potent album which constantly challenges the listener yet still maintains a cohesive focus. On this form Witchcraft are a real find.

4. Steve Roberts, Sequences Magazine – November 29, 2015

   Another interesting addition to the increasingly eclectic AD Music Ltd label. “As I hide” is an unusual fusion of styles featuring John Buehler’s keyboards, drum machines and occasional vocals and Andrew Arbetter’s guitar. The overall sound is a heady mixture of strange and unsettling effects, electronic percussion and new age textures. Arbetter’s guitar gives the music a more organic feel and you have to credit an American band operating in territory well outside of the safe new age or minimalist doodlings so often associated with North American EM.
   “We Rest” is the closest they get but on other tracks they sound more like an avant garde electronic Sisters of Mercy without Eldritch’s blitzkrieg vocals. “Cathedral” will probably appeal most to Sequences readers; a cleverly structured instrumental. at times they tend to overdo the sound effects, as on “Love on a Battleship” but it’s good to have somebody trying something new! After a few listens, the minimalist electro-goth of the opening track “Mindfire Wish” is beginning to grow on me, as is “X-position” and “Iridescent”
   An intriguing release!

5. Macromusica – Spain – November 29, 2015

   Realmente extrano el neuvo album de estos americanos, siempre asociados a un estilo de pop electronico vanguardista, bordeando lo industrial en ocasiones. Son 11 las composiciones de este album, siempre manteniendo una rar atmosfera irreal y hasta siniestra. Un disco quizas demasiado arriesgado para el publico tecno de estos tiempos.
   Macromusica – Spain 1997