WHITE WILLOW – Sacrament (2024 Remaster)

The third album by renowned prog rockers White willow, namely the one entitled Sacrament, was recently given an all-analogue boost and remastered by main-man (and musical mastermind) Jacob Holm Lupo, and new life has definitely been breathed into this already evocative creation.

Originally released back in 2000 to great acclaim and heaps of praise from fans and critics alike, it saw the talented outfit deliver a fully formed, focused, and tight six-song set. With more than enough magical moments to keep the listener on board and a pervading sense of mystery and yearning coursing through it, the LP paints a fascinating sonic vista that is genuinely moving. The 2024 remastering has added a lot more depth, vigor, and crunch to the music with the bass in particular making its presence felt. The disc has benefitted tremendously from an overall warmer and livelier sound as well as a brighter feel and some proper low-end punch during those sections where the whole band kicks in. The original version always came across as a little too subdued and compact somehow, or a little on the thin side, if you will, so this sparkling little joy that is the 2024 remaster was a most welcome one. The track named “Gnostalgia” sounds so frigging good and heavenly here that it feels like one is experiencing it for the very first time, and “The Reach” ensures that everything ends on a high note and in suitably dramatic fashion.

In addition to being available on CD, the record is now available on vinyl for the first time ever.