Wytch Hazel - V: Lamentations (Digipak CD)

Facts Lancastrian rock apostles Wytch Hazel have been building their citadel since 2011, when debut single Surrender introduced this boldly wholesome new voice to the British metal underground. Since then the quartet have continually underscored and bolstered a signature sound rooted in heroic days of yore, but finessed to an elegant apex by long-time producer Ed Turner. That sonic alchemy coalesces all over V: Lamentations, bubbling with even more febrile creativity than previous masterworks Prelude, II: Sojourn, III: Pentecost and IV: Sacrament. The latter, bizarrely, reached number seven on the UK 'Christian & Gospel' chart - despite selling enough to clinch the number one rock album. "Ed is a huge part of what we're doing," affirms Wytch Hazel's guiding mastermind Colin Hendra. "He's added so many more details, there's more to pick up on multiple listens. Ed's been key in bringing these songs to life; what he brings to the table is fantastic and unique and exactly what we need. Ed finishes my musical sentences with his production."