Wytch Hazel

Wytch Hazel was formed in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/premiere_wytch_hazel_prelude_album_stream|title=Premiere: Wytch Hazel Prelude Album Stream|publisher=Under the Radar Magazine|first=Frank|last=Valish|date=April 22, 2016|accessdate=July 27, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ghostcultmag.com/album-review-wytch-hazel-iii-pentecost-bad-omens-records/|title=Album Review: Wytch Hazel- III: Pentecost|website=Ghost Cult Magazine|first=Chris|last=Latta|date=October 28, 2020|accessdate=February 1, 2021}} Originally, the band went with the name Jerusalem which had already been taken.{{cite web|url=https://metalsquadron.com/2016/04/11/wytch-hazel-otherwordly-and-magical/|title=Wytch Hazel: Otherworldly and magical|website=Metal Squadron|date=April 11, 2016|accessdate=February 1, 2021}} Wytch Hazel began with the lineup of Colin Hendra on guitars and vocals, Josh Winnard on guitars, Cornelius Corkery on bass, and Aaron Hay on drums. In 2012, the band released their debut EP, titled The Truth, which came out independently.{{cite web|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/20124-wytch-hazel-interview|title=Axe Apothecary: An Interview With Wytch Hazel|website=The Quietus|first=Harry|last=Sword|date=April 26, 2016|accessdate=February 1, 2021}} The band released two other split releases in 2012, one titled Vol. 1, which also featured Asmovel, Eliminator, and Ascalon, and Borrowed Time / Wytch Hazel, which featured Borrowed Time.{{cite web|url=https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Wytch_Hazel/Vol._1/353284|title=Vol. 1|website=Encyclopedia Metallum|accessdate=February 1, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Wytch_Hazel/Borrowed_Time_-_Wytch_Hazel/350054|title=Borrowed Time / Wytch Hazel|website=Encyclopedia Metallum|accessdate=February 1, 2021}} By the time the band began to write and record their debut album, a majority of the lineup changed, with Hendra and Corkery remaining, with Winnard and Hay departing, as well as Winnard's replacement Matt Gatley, also departing by 2015. Alex Haslam (Big Al) joined the band in 2015 on guitars, with Jack Spencer taking over Hay’s position in 2013. In 2016, the band released their debut album, titled Prelude, which was released through Bad Omen Records.{{cite web|url=https://www.angelicwarlord.com/reviews/w/wytchhazel16.html|title=Wytch Hazel – Prelude|website=Angelic Warlord|first=Andrew|last=Rockwell|accessdate=February 1, 2021}} In 2018, the band recorded and released their sophomore album, which was titled II: Sojourn, also being released through Bad Omen, and was well received.{{cite web|url=https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wytch-hazel-ii-sojourn-things-you-might-have-missed-2018/|title=Wytch Hazel – II: Sojourn [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]|website=Angry Metal Guy|first=Steel|last=Druhm|date=December 15, 2018|accessdate=February 1, 2021}} In 2020, the band released their third album, III: Pentecost, which was highly praised by several reviewers.{{cite web|url=https://www.classicchristianrockzine.com/2020/12/wytch-hazel-iiipentecost-2020.html|title=Wytch Hazel – III: Pentecost (2020)|website=Classic Christian Rock Zine|first=Steve|last=Perkins|date=December 30, 2020|accessdate=February 1, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2020/12/07/wytch-hazel-iiipentecost/|title=Wytch Hazel – III: Pentecost|website=Heavy Blog is Heavy|first=Pete|last=Williams|date=December 7, 2020|accessdate=February 1, 2021}}

Founding member Colin Hendra states that Iron Maiden is one of the band's influences.{{cite web|url=http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/music/record-reviews/wytch-hazel-prelude/|title=Wytch Hazel – Prelude|publisher=Kalyr.com|first=Tim|last=Hall|date=April 12, 2016|accessdate=July 27, 2016}}

Alex Haslam (Big Al) confirmed that other influences included Led Zeppelin, Wishbone Ash and Jethro Tull. Several reviewers compared the band to other artists like Blue Öyster Cult, Thin Lizzy, and Deep Purple.{{cite web|url=https://rideintoglory.com/new-release-highlight-wytch-hazel-iii-pentecost-review/|title=New Release Highlight: Wytch Hazel – III: Pentecostal Review|website=Ride Into Glory|author=Quorton|date=November 2, 2020|accessdate=February 1, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.angrymetalguy.com/wytch-hazel-wytch-hazel-iii-pentecost-review/|title= Wytch Hazel: Wytch Hazel – III: Pentecostal Review|website=Angry Metal Guy|first=Steel|last=Druhm|date=October 30, 2020|accessdate=February 1, 2021}}

While Wytch Hazel's lyrical content is very much oriented by themes of Christianity of lyrics, written by Hendra, they do not claim to be a Christian band. Hendra states that he is a Christian, Corkery is a Roman Catholic, and Winnard and Spencer are agnostics. The theme is very present in a majority of their songs, with many reviewers pointing this out.{{cite web|url=https://oldmansmettle.com/2020/04/22/colin-hendra-of-wytch-hazel-on-christian-discontent-robin-hood-outfits-and-valve-amps/|title=Colin Hendra of Wytch Hazel on Christian (Dis)content, Robin Hood outfits, and Valve Amps|website=Old Man's Mettle|date=April 22, 2020|accessdate=February 1, 2021}}

;Last known line up

• Colin Hendra – vocals, guitar (2011–present)
• Alex Haslam (Big Al) – guitar (2015–present)
• Andrew Shackleton – bass (2019–present)
• Aaron Hay (2011-2014, 2022-present)

;Former

• Jack Spencer – drums (2014–2022)
• Josh Winnard – guitar, vocals (2011–2013)
• Matt Gatley – guitar (2013–2015)
• Cornelius "Neil" Corkery – bass (2011–2017)

;Timeline

{{#tag:timeline|

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20

PlotArea = left:100 bottom:80 top:10 right:20

Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/2011 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:2011

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2011

Colors =

id:vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals

id:guit value:green legend:Guitar

id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album

id:split/comp value:gray(0.45) legend:Other_release

BarData =

bar:Col text:"Colin Hendra"

bar:Josh text:"Josh Winnard"

bar:Matt text:"Matt Gatley"

bar:Alex text:"Alex Haslam"

bar:Neil text:"Neil Corkery"

bar:Andy text:"Andrew Shackleton"

bar:Aaron text:"Aaron Hay"

bar:Jack text:"Jack Spencer"

PlotData =

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)

bar:Col from:01/01/2011 till:end color:vocals

bar:Col from:01/01/2011 till:end color:guit width:3

bar:Neil from:01/01/2011 till:01/01/2017 color:bass

bar:Josh from:01/01/2011 till:01/01/2013 color:guit

bar:Aaron from:01/01/2011 till:01/01/2013 color:drums

bar:Matt from:01/01/2013 till:01/02/2015 color:guit

bar:Matt from:01/01/2017 till:01/01/2019 color:bass

bar:Andy from:01/01/2019 till:end color:bass

bar:Jack from:01/01/2013 till:end color:drums

bar:Alex from:01/01/2015 till:end color:guit

LineData =

layer:back

color:studio

at:01/01/2012

at:04/22/2016

at:07/13/2018

at:10/30/2020

color:split/comp

at:09/21/2012

at:10/02/2012

at:08/30/2013

}}

Studio albums

• Prelude (2016)
• II: Sojourn (2018)
• III: Pentecost (2020){{Cite web|url=https://wytchhazel.bandcamp.com/album/iii-pentecost|title=III: Pentecost, by Wytch Hazel|website=Wytchhazel.bandcamp.com|accessdate=11 October 2020}}
• IV: Sacrament (2023)

EPs

• The Truth (2012)
• Strong Heart (2023)

Splits

• Vol. 1 (2012)
• Borrowed Time / Wytch Hazel (2012)

Compilations

• Surrender & the Truth (2013)

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web|url=http://bravewords.com/news/wytch-hazel-to-release-prelude-album-in-april-we-will-be-strong-track-streaming|title=Wytch Hazel To Release Prelude Album In April; "We Will Be Strong" Track Streaming|publisher=Bravewords|date=March 3, 2016|accessdate=July 27, 2016}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Musical groups established in 2011

Category:Christian metal musical groups

Category:2011 establishments in England

Category:English hard rock musical groups

Category:English folk metal musical groups

Category:Musical groups from Lancashire