Posted on: July 31, 2008 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Celebrated Swedish rock band WITCHCRAFT has announced a string of U.S. headlining tour dates in support of its critically acclaimed album, The Alchemist. WITCHCRAFT will kick off its upcoming U.S. live dates with an August 1 performance in Detroit, MI.

WITCHCRAFT has also been pegged as one of the featured acts at both Lollapalooza 2008 – set to take place August 1-3 in Chicago’s Grant Park – and Ozzfest 2008, which will take the form of a one-day stadium spectacular on Saturday, August 9 in Dallas, TX. Recently referred to as “the coolest band in Sweden right now” by a popular UK monthly, WITCHCRAFT is the only band in the world to showcase at both of these major U.S. festivals this year. WITCHCRAFT will share the Lollapalooza spotlight with such acts as Black Kids, Radiohead and Bloc Party and will bring its dynamic live set to the OZZFEST arena alongside Metallica, The Sword and Ozzy Osbourne.

“Witchcraft is very excited about heading back to the U.S. and the opportunity to be part of Ozzfest and Lollapalooza is truly an honor,” states WITCHCRAFT vocalist Magnus Pelander. “There can be only one Witchcraft and we’re coming to get you!”

Support on the WITCHCRAFT August headlining dates will come from Louisville, Kentucky’s Dead Child. The band has also announced a September U.S. headlining trek that will launch in Seattle, WA on September 4 and conclude with on September 17 at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom. Support on the jaunt will be provided by fellow Swedes Graveyard and Brooklyn’s TK Webb & the Visions. A full listing of upcoming WITCHCRAFT live performances follows this message.

WITCHCRAFT’s The Alchemist has been hailed as “timeless” and “a masterpiece” that “metalheads, indie fans, and music teachers alike could unite around.” Recorded 100% pro-tools and digital free using only vintage amplification, The Alchemist showcases a group of musicians at ease with their playing and songwriting as addictive melodies flow simultaneously with catchy, heavy riffs, while maintaining a relaxed and laid back feel throughout. The band’s sound has been coined “boogiefied riff rock” by SPIN, while The New York Times noted that WITCHCRAFT “makes the riff and the drone paramount.”

In celebration of the impending live dates and festival appearances, WITCHCRAFT has posted a cover of Roky Erickson’s “Sweet Honey Pie” to its MySpace page. The track has only previously been available on the Japanese pressing of The Alchemist. Check it out now at this location.

In addition to Pelander, WITCHCRAFT features John Hoyles (electric and acoustic guitars), Ola Henriksson (Bass) and Fredrik Jansson (drums and percussion).

WITCHCRAFT is available to speak with interested media now. To chat with the band / request a review copy of The Alchemist, simply contact ACTION! PR via any of the means listed below. Updated WITCHCRAFT news and tour information will be made available via the WITCHCRAFT web domains: www.myspace.com/witchcraftswe and www.witchcrafthome.com, the Rise Above Records website: www.riseaboverecords.com and the ACTION! PR website: www.action-pr.com.

“A young Swedish doom-metal outfit with distinctly ’70s overtones, Witchcraft makes the riff and the drone paramount” – THE NEW YORK TIMES

“boogiefied riff rock” – SPIN

“We’re big fans of smoking, psychedelic Swedish post-Pentagram doom crew Witchcraft’s new album “The Alchemist”, especially the 15-minute title track. Epic! Definitely one of 2007’s best.” – STEREOGUM

“Spellbinding” – METRO NEW YORK

“honest to goodness metal, and it’s awesome. Highly recommended.” – MUSIC FOR ROBOTS

“Look out for Sweden’s WITCHCRAFT, whose hook-filled psych-rock makes you feel like you’re chilling with Matthew McConaughey in ‘Dazed and Confused'” – TIME OUT NEW YORK

“Witchcraft makes records in an alternate universe where it’s always 1971” – BOSTONIST

“retro-doom…highly underrated” – POPMATTERS

“psychedelic” – MTV NEWS

“Unlike most albums, “The Alchemist” just gets better as it goes along and with the near 15-minute title epic, the band has cut their finest tune to date. When the band first surfaced, the Sabbath comparisons ran rife…the difference this time is that the Swedes now have the potential to beat the old dogs at their own game” – DECIBEL

WITCHCRAFT tour dates:

(* = Dead Child supports)
(+ = Graveyard + TK Webb & the Visions support)

August 1 Detroit, MI The Magic Stick *
August 2 Chicago, IL Grant Park (as part of Lollapalooza 2008 w/ Rage Against the Machine, Explosions in the Sky, Battles, Wilco, etc.)
* August 2 Chicago, IL The Bottom Lounge *
August 3 Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock *
August 4 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Saloon *
August 5 Omaha, NE The Waiting Room *
August 6 Denver, CO Marquis Theatre *
August 8 Oklahoma City, OK The Conservatory *
August 9 Dallas, TX Pizza Hut Park (as part of OZZFEST 2008 w/ Metallica, The Sword, Ozzy Osbourne, etc.)

September 4 Seattle, WA El Corazon +
September 6 San Francisco, CA Slim’s +
September 9 Tempe, AZ The Clubhouse +
September 10 Austin, TX Red 7 +
September 11 Houston, TX Rudyard’s British Pub +
September 12 New Orleans, LA One Eyed Jack’s +
September 13 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn +
September 14 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506 +
September 15 Washington, DC The Rock and Roll Hotel +
September 16 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s +
September 17 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom +

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