Meet The Artist: Seven Witches
Honestly, listening to each of those records now is what makes me totally realize just how differently I heard things then.
Well the minute I saw Hall & Oates on Solid Gold, I knew that’s what I was going to do for life and I've never stopped, never backed down.
Paul O’Neill, Jon Oliva, Chris Caffery, & all those guys really drove me to be the best player I could be...
For decades, guitarist Jack Frost has been a driving force in American heavy metal, best known as the founder and creative force behind Seven Witches. With his powerful riff-driven style and unwavering dedication to traditional heavy metal, Frost has built an extensive career that has earned him a loyal following around the world. Now, he’s looking back at that musical journey with a new compilation collection being released through Deko Entertainment, bringing together highlights from his body of work while celebrating the music that has defined his career.
We caught up with Jack to talk about his beginnings, Seven Witches, the stories behind the music, and what continues to keep the fire burning.
1. When you look back at the early Seven Witches records today, what do you hear that maybe you didn't hear when you were making them?
Answer: That’s a good question because looking back at something that was done, God like 30 years ago, when I was very young, very green, I can't believe how differently I hear things now as compared to back then, you know what I'm saying...? And even though I had worked on & made records before Witches, I was still growing as a songwriter. Honestly, listening to each of those records now is what makes me totally realize just how differently I heard things then. When we started making this Best Of record, I went back to listen to what I thought were some of the real standout tracks...and it hit me that what I had seen as some of the best stuff at that time, I found myself now saying to myself that I wish I could’ve done this or that a little bit differently, or I should have been a little more articulate with my playing...things like that. But I also know that back then I was just rawer, and I'm truly glad that I was able to capture that era when I was young and hungry. Now that I’m more of a seasoned player, I feel like my playing is very precise... especially as compared to what it used to be. I have to say though that I do love taking some of that old-school stuff and adding it into how I play now, because I don't want to necessarily change anything, I just wish that I had been a better player back then and that I would have approached things more like I do today... hindsight is what it is though lol...I think all musicians experience that at some point! Look, please don't get me wrong...I don't want anyone to think that I'm saying anything negative about those records, because you know what? When you make music, it comes from your heart, and you really put all of yourself into it...touching any part of it after it's all said and done, can end up completely changing the vibe of what you were originally aiming for, ya know? It’s like listening to something as iconic as Zeppelin's debut record and hearing a 'mistake' that maybe should’ve been fixed...but think about it...if it had been fixed or cleaned up in some way, would it have been quite the same as we know it to be now? Those one-offs or errors often are what gives music its real feel. So yeah, no matter what, I’m proud of those records as they were made then and as I hear them today.
2. Is there one Seven Witches album that you think best represents what the band is all about?
Answer: Well, that's both a hard one & an easy one...Hard 'cuz each record says something different & valuable about Witches as we were at the time those albums were released. Every record is also like a new baby...it has a part of your heart and soul, you spend months preparing for it, and when it's finally in your hands, you can't wait to show the world since you're so proud of it...Anyway, that aside, there's no doubt that I feel Passage would be the best representation of the band. We were in such a different place at the time we made that album. We had just come off the Exiled album tour and both Joey Vera & James Rivera joined the band. It was a very special record to me because there was so much going on in my life at the time, so a lot of emotions ended up being poured into the music and lyrics. I had lost my brother, Peter, to cancer literally a day before we were set to start making that record and so I went into it with a really spiritual feeling in my writing and playing. I made that record for Peter, and it will always be very dear to me. What's even more amazing about it is that so many people approached me back then and continue to come up to me now all these years later, to tell me that the actual song Passage To The Other Side has also helped them to get through some really dark times, as well. Bottom line is that I guess I just feel that Passage has everything I could ask for in a truly great record since from its first notes, I wrote it from such a genuine & raw emotional place. It also happens to be an album where I can hear how I grew as a musician. I can honestly say Passage has allowed me to see that I had become a better songwriter and a better player by that time, and it absolutely showcases everything Witches was as a band. We were at the top of our game and we felt it, and even to this day, that album still means a lot to all of us.
3. Conversely, is there a Seven Witches record you feel never received the attention it deserved?
Answer: That's super easy...yes, the record after Passage, which was Year Of The Witch. That record should’ve been so big because it was a concept record and it was also our first record with Dennis Hayes on bass, and man, he played his ass off on that record! It was our second one with James Rivera, and the whole second part of the record is a story about a boy named Jacob. It was supposed to be like our version of Operation Mind Crime meets Crimson Idol... that record to me was one that I felt had so many components to it that should have sent it to the top next to the other big bands on the scene at that time. Even now I still feel like that could have happened because that record was so innovative, but unfortunately, right around the time it was due to come out, our label tanked, it totally went under. All of the bands on that label got shafted, and even though we did end up touring on that record with Overkill, the record itself was released right in the middle of the label going bankrupt, so there was just no support like it should’ve been given. It was very sad and disheartening 'cuz we felt like it was such a strong record...Anyway, if you haven't already, when you get a chance, really listen to that album and focus on the concept...it's pretty epic the way it all came together, and it truly took so much work.
4. You've worked with some very distinctive singers. As a guitarist and songwriter, how much does the vocalist influence the way you write?
Answer: Well to be honest, I never really write for a singer, or at least not really. I will keep the singer in mind and often write for his vocal range, but the words and music aren't specifically for who is singing. I usually start writing the music myself, and then when I'm arranging it, maybe I’ll hear things, or something might catch my ear that I think would be awesome for the singer, but it just depends on the moment. When James came on board though, it was a little different, because I knew I wanted to take a more Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, you know, King diamond kind of approach. But Tecchio was a little more modern sounding, and Anthony was more like a Jeff Keith of Tesla type of singer, so when they were in the band I knew that going in, and I adapted to their styles while still keeping my way of playing. When I made the first record with Bobby Lucas, I thought Bobby was just incredible. Right out of the gate he was one of the greatest metal singers I’d ever heard in my life, and we wrote together like we had been doing it for years! So, over the years it's been different, but in an awesome way, with all the vocalists I've gotten to work with. Yeah, I wrote the songs, I wrote the riffs and some of the hooks, but I let a singer be a singer. These days, I can say that I do have them more in mind when writing than I used to, because when I work with someone like for example, Andrew Freeman, I do find myself writing something heavier cause he’s such a powerful singer, you know? His voice is just so massive. So, for him, I'd write more aggressively but would still keep it melodic and in my style of playing.
5. Are there songs in the Seven Witches catalog that have taken on a completely different meaning for you as you've gotten older?
Answer: When we wrote Apocalyptic Dreams, we really had no idea back then what the world would be like now, so it's kind of crazy how it's sort of come full circle. A lot of that song was about nuclear war and the horrors of an apocalypse, so at least that part's not happening, but the whole concept of fighting, destruction, unrest, people against people, just the general state of the world being so volatile is definitely what's going on around us now, so yeah, it's a little unsettling if you really think about it. Oh and basically the whole City of Lost Soulsrecord has a totally different and profound meaning now...the Twin Towers are on that album cover! Wow I literally just remembered that...it's insane to think that back then those towers truly represented the 'City" to me, and then how all these years later I'm realizing just how symbolic that actually was after that act of terrorism took them down. NYC and the world were so affected by the loss of the towers, and it's almost like that album cover was like a premonition of what was to come or at least something to look back on and really appreciate how meaningful it is to have them featured on it forever.
6. Who are some of the artists or bands that helped shape your sound?
Answer: Man, there’s so many bands and artists that have stuck in my head throughout the years and have impacted my music...& I'm sure that many of them people might be kind of shocked at lol...but at the end of the day, that's what's made my music what it is and why it's distinct...like why I have the sound that I do. The variety of my influences made me the player I am today. I grew up loving Kansas, and Kiss was a big influence because of their whole stage show and like larger than life, in your face presence. I became a huge Journey fan and of Neil Schon's guitar playing because the way he writes songs is so melodic. The hooks and his feel you know are so articulate and memorable. John Sykes, Whitesnake, bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden have also shaped my sound but when I was growing up I was never like the guy that wanted to just replicate others playing, no matter how much I respected them. I was in awe of guys like Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, Schenker, Montrose, and Ritchie Blackmore, and don’t get me wrong, Randy Rhoads was beyond a genius on the guitar and definitely a god to me, but I still always just wanted to be myself. I never sat in my room and learned Zeppelin or Purple note for note. I listened to the music I loved & incorporated those sounds into my music to make it my own. There's many different influences in my songs but for sure you can hear Journey, Kansas, & AOR type bands, which is why I say that some people would find that very odd since Witches and other bands I was in back then were more power metal than anything resembling that kind of music or guitar playing! I also got really into other bands, too, because I was like a huge 80s guy, you know Dokken, Ratt, Tesla, & so on. Badland's debut record, wow that album changed me so much as a player. At the time, I thought it was the most perfect record ever made and it was so influential on me for a long time, even now.
7. Is there one song you'd recommend as the perfect introduction to the band? Why that one?
Answer: Again, sorry I keep going back to Passage, but that song truly does represent the band fully. The message, the meaning, the power, the playing...everything. We didn't just write about anything that popped into our heads or about random topics just to write songs. The songs, the words, the emotions, plus the contributions from all of us were brought to the table when we put out that record, like it was truly a band effort. But when I wrote the song Passage, it was even more purposeful and deliberate in both its meaning and the music. It starts out very melodic, then builds and builds into just an aggressive release...kind of like grief. Like I said, that song was about my brother's passing which had a huge impact on me, and I have to say that it turned out to not only track with how I was feeling at that time, but it also became so much more. If someone's never heard of Witches, I would definitely use it to introduce them to the band. It's a song that has stood the test of time, and I'm still so proud of it.
8. Jack, take us back to the beginning. What was the first band or guitarist that made you say, “That’s what I want to do”?
Answer: So this is going to be a funny one...many people would say Kiss, & yes I love Kiss, and others would say Michael Schenker, Randy Rhoads, Uli Jon Roth etc. and of course they were all influences on me. But my Aha! moment was back when I was a young kid watching Solid Gold on a Saturday night and all of a sudden, Hall & Oates came on playing the song Your Kiss Is On My List. Daryl had his big mane of blonde hair and the guitar player was ripping on the song, and I watched this video live performance and remember saying to my parents, "Look! THAT is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life!" And I knew right then and there that was absolutely what I wanted to do...maybe not in quite that style of playing after I came into my own, cuz then Kiss came along, and Zeppelin, and all the other greats, but when I first saw that Solid Gold video, it really changed my life.
9. Growing up as a guitarist, who were the players you studied the most?
Answer: There are so many, but a few come instantly to my mind...like Kerry Livgren from Kansas, my God his playing, his songwriting, his classical influence, just awesome. Randy Rhoads, what he did on those first 2 Ozzy records nobody could do in 90 records, he was like a god to me. So between those two, and other legends like John Sykes, Gary, Moore, and Michael Schenker, I had many of the best to follow closely. Another one that really sticks out to me is Neil Schon from Journey. He could play as crazy and ripping as Randy Rhoads and Yngwie, but he could also play as melodic as Kerry Livgren. He just speaks to me on the guitar...you can hum his notes cuz you can hear the vocal lines coming through his fingertips when he plays. I looked up to all of these guys as I was learning to play plus many others...I remember the dual attack of KK and Tipton from Priest blew my mind! I was very into the 80s hair metal scene, so like with George Lynch and Warren DeMartini, I thought their playing was phenomenal. I’ve had the pleasure of becoming good friends with Carlos Cavazo from Quiet Riot, who is probably one of the top players that ever came out of the LA scene. I still don't feel that he gets the recognition he deserves, but I love and respect his playing. He's been very influential to me too, I mean even to this day, the solos on that first Quiet Riot record are just ridiculous.
10. At what point did playing guitar go from being something you loved doing to something you thought you could actually make a career out of?
Answer: Well the minute I saw Hall & Oates on Solid Gold, I knew that’s what I was going to do for life and I've never stopped, never backed down. Honestly, I never even considered anything else that I would do instead...I banked on guitar playing being plan A, with no other thought of ever needing or wanting a plan B, C, D, etc. This was the only job I ever wanted and I’m so blessed to be 58 years old still doing what I love to do. I'm not sure exactly when I realized that I had been actually living my dream, but what I do know is that I'll never take it for granted. I’m not rich, I don’t have mansions or live some lavish lifestyle, but what I’ve been able to do because I got to play guitar all these years makes me one of the luckiest people I know. I've been all over the world, met so many great people, and I've made or been a part of almost 50 albums. Wait...I take that part back about not being rich...cuz you know what? I may not have millions of dollars, but I'm rich in so many other ways...between all of the places I've been able to play at, the people I've gotten to play and collab with, the name I've been able to make for myself, the amazing fans that have always been so good to me, and my family who is so supportive of me, I am very rich. I still think that I need to pinch myself sometimes when I think of all these things or I just don’t believe how awesome my life has turned out. Plus I’m still going and have no plans to slow down...I’m truly just so blessed.
11. You've played and recorded with a lot of talented musicians over the years. Who challenged you the most musically?
Answer: Wow there were many guys that really pushed me hard...playing with John Beauvoir was a big challenge for me cuz I was never a funk player, but learning that style with one of the greats def made me a better player. When I first got the Savatage gig, it was as intimidating as it was thrilling cuz I knew their stuff had to be played spot-on, so I worked my ass off every second I played with them. Paul O’Neill, Jon Oliva, Chris Caffery, & all those guys really drove me to be the best player I could be, which I was totally up for since no one wanted those Savatge songs to be played exactly right more than I did. I've also worked with some producers over the years who have really challenged me as well, like Siggi Bemm, who was responsible for the first Seven Witches record when we were over in Germany. There were moments when I think he pushed me to another stratosphere and to this day I respect him so much for lighting that fire under me. Yeah, so there's been quite a few guys like the ones I've just mentioned that I could credit with really taking me to new levels of playing, but I would say that Beauvoir and Jon Oliva are the 2 that really stand out in my mind...they were true mentors & whether I realized that at the time or not, I definitely do now.
12. Is there a guitar solo by another player that you hear and still think, “Man, I wish I'd written that”?
Answer: This is also probably going to seem funny cuz I’m known as a 'metal guy', but Neil Schon's solo on Send Her My Love is one of my most favorite solos to this day...the melodic feel of it, just the whole thing is amazing. I wish I could write something just that perfect...that solo is like a song in a song.
13. Do you think younger metal bands understand the importance of developing their own identity, or has technology made it too easy for everybody to sound similar?
Answer: I'm not totally comfortable answering this one, but I’m going to be honest with you. I think a lot of young metal guys have started to lean on AI and the whole cutting & pasting thing. I mean they're really talented guys, but I just don't think enough of them are truly playing from the heart. I question whether they know what melody lines are or if they have any real feel behind their playing. I’m sorry to say it that way but I think many of these younger guys are too focused on how fast they can play. If you listen to guys like Schenker and Rhoads, it was all about their feel, they had their own identity & that's what's missing today. It's like a lot of newer metal musicians don't really know what their true identity is cuz it ends up getting lost somewhere between what their own unique sound and style is and what they replicate from the latest metal players & bands who social media has put on a pedestal. Again, sorry if this is coming across negative, but I just don’t think some of these younger guys truly get it yet. They don't really know what it's like to have to put countless hours into their music, doing it all themselves, getting a hundred 'no's' from labels, clubs, or whoever else before they finally get a 'yes'...you know, truly paying their dues like we used to have to pay ours. We put in that time and effort and established our own identity in music, so every accomplishment genuinely meant so much to us, they were our rewards for the amount of passion and work we put in to get where we were. I hope I'm not going to piss anybody off by saying these things...it's just that I honestly feel that technology does have a place in music, as long as it doesn't replace the actual creativity and hard work behind it. Look, I've been working my ass off since I'm 19 years old, learning everything possible to naturally improve my playing and to write better songs, and now I'm watching some of these younger metal guys using things like AI and guitar tablature they find online to do it for them...then they pass those songs off as 'their' music. When technology detracts from raw talent, to me it's like cheating.. It's so simple now just to turn to AI, type in that you want a song or riff to sound like Judas Priest, Overkill, or whoever..and BAM! it's done for you. But those bands already exist, they already made their mark, so sure, let them influence you, but I say be your own artist, create your own sound, that's what will separate you from the rest. Pick up your instrument, put in the time, play with your soul...maybe even be really cool and use actual tube amps and old school massive cabinets, but whatever you do, make your music who you are...& be proud of what you add to the world of metal.
14. After everything you've experienced—the bands, albums, tours, lineup changes and ups and downs, what keeps you excited about playing guitar?
Answer: Well, to me, every day is a new journey, so I think it's pretty exciting to know that there's more to do still with my guitar. There's nothing predictable or '9-5' when you're a musician and there's a lot of blood sweat & tears that goes into it. But I wouldn't have it any other way. This industry can lift you up and make you feel like you're on top of the world...and just as fast, it can chew you up and spit you right back out. But for me, a big part of the thrill has always been getting myself back up, putting my guitar in my hands and getting back to the drawing board with renewed motivation and looking forward to whatever's next. All of what you just mentioned regarding the ups and downs and instabilities along the way is Tuesday in this industry lol...like it's a normal part of the music business. You gotta just keep going and not let it get you down. And not for nothing, I got to work with so many great and talented guys cuz of Witches lineup changes, and got to meet so many cool people while out touring and making records that I may not have otherwise. Things like that far outweigh whatever setbacks we may have had along the way. They also helped the band to grow and evolve into what it is almost 30 years later...so you know what keeps me excited? The fact that after all of its history, I'm able to talk to you today about yet another Seven Witches release with this Best Of record...so yeah, everyday I get to keep making music or I pick up my guitar is exciting. It's another chance to write or discover that next best riff or melody line or hook. I've made a lot of records and have toured the world a whole bunch of times, yet it never gets old. Plus I believe there's still much more that's ahead. Even now, if I hear or play a really cool riff, to me, it's another chance to turn it into something exciting. And of course, as long as there's new gear that comes out, like new amps or whatever to try out and explore, I'll keep loving to play...I'll keep getting stupid excited when I hear those random nuances that could enhance my sound. So trust me, I never take for granted how lucky I am cuz loving what you do for a living, like I do, is very rare...most people don't even like their jobs. There's a quote about how you never work a day in your life when you truly love your job...& I get to be one of them. Yeah, I really am so blessed.
15. What does success mean to Jack Frost today compared with when you first started?
Answer: Well back then, when I first started playing out at places, I was still pretty young & inexperienced..but no question I was insanely motivated with tons of energy for anything that had to do with playing guitar. I had tunnel vision when it came to music, and was locked in on being a 'rockstar' cuz that's what I saw as success...like it didn't matter what it took, but that was success to me. I def didn't know then what I do now about what it takes to get there. Being kids back then, we were all full of piss and vinegar, and we were all trying to be better than everyone else…we had such cocky attitudes that fed off the buzz from the fans who saw us play, and it was a constant competition for that coveted rockstar status. Also, success back then was more about short term goals being met rather than looking at the big picture & the journey it would actually take to get there. Short term like focusing on how we had looked on stage, did we play the loudest show, was our venue room sold out, or at least more packed than the other band's rooms were, was our sound the best last night, are we featured in The Aquarian or Steppin Out this week..stuff like that. But now, success to me is knowing that over 30 years later, I still get to do what I really love to do, and I genuinely appreciate it so much more. Success is meeting my idols and playing next to them on stage, or getting to work with guitar masters like Uli John Roth. It's having guys like Dave Amato and Doug Aldredge as true friends. Success is when great musicians like them treat you like one of their peers, because that speaks to how far you've come. That feeling never gets old either...As a matter of fact, a couple of months ago I went to see Bryan Adams play and I had the most amazing time backstage with his phenomenal guitar player, Kieth Scott, who was gracious enough to invite me to the show. We legit talked til right before he was about to go on stage. And even recently with Aldo Nova, we opened up for Styx, and it was very cool to be backstage with the guys hanging out with the great Tommy Shaw. I know how hard I've worked to get here, and that's what success is about. Putting in the time and effort, dealing with the good and the bad is how you achieve it. Success is nothing to take for granted, especially if you want to keep it.
16. Is there something about Seven Witches that even longtime fans probably don't know?
Answer: Great question! Yes, as a matter of fact, nobody really knew about the conditions surrounding our very first record deal. So we had done a three song demo that we sent to the label and we were prepared to wait as long as we needed until they got back to us. Well, there was no wait cuz they signed us in a matter of 24 hours, which was awesome, but they only gave us about 2 weeks to write the rest of the record and another 3 weeks after that to then fly over to Germany to complete the recording and mixing at their studio. We worked morning, noon and night, giving everything we had & more to make that deadline. Talk about pressure! Man, the fire under our ass was crazy, but yeah, we sure did it! I don't think even longtime fans had known about that, so that's something new to learn about Witches, even though it was like 30 years ago...! Oh, & one more thing about that first record...Bobby Lucas was the vocalist of Witches at that time. That dude was a big part of my history & actually also a pretty big part of my success. Don't get me wrong, I feel that all of Witches singers were amazing, but over the years, I've often wondered how big we could have gotten if things would have been different back then & the band had stayed together with that lineup and Bobby singing.
17. If you had to choose three albums that explain who Jack Frost is as a musician, what would they be?
Answer: Ok 3 albums...100% Passage To The Other Side comes to mind first, as like I've said, that one both truly represents the band and also who I am as a player and songwriter, plus it's just a great metal record. Number 2 I'd say is the Brothers In Arms record, because it's like my dream throwback to the 80's record and it features some very cool artists who I had a blast collabing with. And I would probably say that my 3rd pick is the first Bronx Casket Company record cuz it was such a different way of playing for me, and it was great working with DD Verni and the other guys on that project. I think these 3 albums truly show my versatility as a guitarist and that I can play virtually any style of rock music. Kind of like a chameleon lol, I can adapt and fit into whatever is warranted at the time...these albums highlight me playing power metal with Passage, 80's/Arena Rock with Brothers, and gothic metal with BCC.
18. What was the first album you bought with your own money?
Answer: That's easy...the first album I ever bought was KISS Double Platinum...I remember it clearly because I wanted it so bad but I only had a few bucks and I was bummed. My dad, who was such an amazing guy, not only gave me the difference, but he took me to Two Guys to pick it up...have you heard of it lol? It used to be this huge store back in the day that had everything, including music, and when we got to the record section, I immediately saw that awesome silver KISS album, Double Platinum and was over the moon cuz I was about to buy it! That was the first record I ever bought with all my own money from my paper route...and just a little help from my dad.
19. Who was the first artist you saw live?
Answer: I bet this will get so many people cracking up! The first artist that I ever saw live was Joe Jackson... yes, Joe Jackson...when he was doing the Stepping Out tour. I think I was 13 years old, and man, it was great! It was such an eye-opener for me seeing music performed live like that, and I'll never forget that show.
20. What's one band or artist people would be surprised to learn you listen to?
Answer: I am a huge Amanda Marshall freak! Like I think she’s just absolutely incredible. I've always wondered why she's not way bigger than she is, or why she's not given enough credit as a great or influential female artist. I love her voice, her soul, just everything about her music, and have for many years. I've never gotten to see her live, but I'm so glad she's still performing cuz I'm planning on going to a show she's playing at in a few months...I'm looking forward to finally getting to see her on stage, so I really hope it works out.
Meet The Writer: Mark Balogh – Capturing the Spirit of Music! 📸🤘
With a passion for music and an eye for the unforgettable, Mark Balogh brings the world of music to life through his photography and writing. From the raw energy of live performances to the personalities and stories behind the music, Mark captures the moments, musicians, and memories that define the scene. His work celebrates the artists, the fans, and the culture that keep music alive, preserving the spirit of the music one image and one story at a time.
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