ALBUM REVIEW ~ SEVEN YEAR WITCH ~ 'VAMPIRE CALAMITY'

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How about this for a bold prediction? Vampire Calamity by Seven Year Witch will make my list of top 10 albums for 2024…and it’s only February! Run, don’t walk, to get this new album on March 1.

If you’re not familiar with Seven Year Witch, you should be. Described as “Straight out of left field with an electrifying hybrid of hard rock, blues-punk and 70’s garage rock,” these charismatic boys from Pendleton, South Carolina are developing a cult-like following.

Comprised of wildman and insanely talented vocalist, Aaron Langford, the rock-solid rhythm section of brothers Spencer Burdon on bass and Seth Burdon on drums, and Beau Anderson blazing on guitar, this is an exceptional young band that needs to be on your radar.

I had the opportunity to see them live in Scottsdale, Arizona as they made their way to LA to open for Buckcherry a few years ago. They played a tiny club in front of 16 people (I counted) and one Great Dane (don’t ask!).

You would have thought they were playing a sold-out Madison Square Garden with all of the energy and enthusiasm they brought that night. Aaron’s swagger and backflips off the drum riser are a can’t miss experience!

Calamity will get you hooked with the album opener, “Best of the Best.” Langford’s voracious vocals and Anderson’s infectious guitar hooks take center stage on this one.

You’ll be singing along to the next track, “Lights Out” after one listen. Take note of the brother’s power grooves and explosive drumming on this song. Even a little Zeppelin-esque perhaps?

“Falling From Heaven” showcases Landford’s God-given gift as a singer with a vocal rasp that floats above the formidable chops of his bandmates. It’s powerful, crunching beat leaves you wondering if it was written in 1979 or 2024.

With its cleverly arranged vocal parts, “Weaponize Your Love” is a turbo-charged rocker and may be my favorite track – if I had to choose just one. It’s a banger with that elusive toe-tapping factor every band is trying to capture both live and in the studio.

There’s something for everyone on this album – tribalism, swing, raw punk energy and just plain old joyous rock and roll. If you haven’t noticed, I really like what these guys are doing. They should immediately be the answer to the question, “Is rock dead?”

This is a record and a band with limitless potential. Seven Year Witch has only just begun and Calamity may be the springboard they need to start their ascent to becoming rock and roll heavyweights.

I’m Music Music Magazine Writer Steve Pawlowski