ALBUM REVIEW: The Dark Tower – Burning Witches
Since 2018’s Hexenhammer, Swiss quintet BURNING WITCHES have been delivering high octane, highly engaging heavy metal to the masses. Consistently each album has built upon what has gone before and seen them develop a sound that has one foot firmly rooted in the traditional metal styles of the late 80s yet still strives to offer something fresh and exciting. 2021’s The Witch Of The North was widely well received and it packed a high-quality punch of tightly bound melodies combining with weighty, driving rhythms wrapped in an epic sweeping sound. With the singles Unleash The Beast and The Dark Tower leading the sonic charge for the new album, it appears that these Witches are once again distilling all the finer points of catchy riff-driven heavy metal and concocting a melody-driven audio potion to ensnare all that hear it.
Initially, The Dark Tower appears to follow a similar format to its predecessors; the introductory track works as a cinematic style scene setter. Acoustic guitars are mixed with choral vocals conjuring a dark ritualistic backdrop. Then the illusory candles are suddenly blown out as the door is kicked in by the full band delivering the full throttle Unleash The Beast. Even a cursory listen through their back catalogue would indicate that BURNING WITCHES have struck upon a winning formula when it comes to their brand of heavy metal. It’s as raucous and engaging as the style demands, but their tracks crackle with an energy and excitement that exudes their swagger.
Unleash The Beast provides the introduction proper for this album and right from the off the band are charging out of the starting blocks. The track delivers breakneck riffing combined with a double whammy of unstoppable drumming and soaring vocals. The call and response pre-chorus that builds into the full melodic assault of the chorus is a sure-fire way to garner audience participation. Indeed, it’s as if the album has one eye on a live environment as this vocal delivery method is peppered liberally throughout.
As the album progresses, many stylistic elements are ticked off the list. Whether that be the searing dual guitar solos of World On Fire, the epic big ballad delivery of Tomorrow, or the monstrous sounding Doomed To Die. However, this is by far from a lesson in heavy metal basics or carbon copy of other artists that have gone before. True, BURNING WITCHES are evidently wearing their influences on their collective sleeves, but their sound and the album’s overall feeling is one of individuality. At every turn the quintet display excellent musicianship, executing the riffs and rhythms with precision – there’s not a minute wasted across these thirteen tracks.
Double double toil and trouble, BURNING WITCHES have absolutely done it again. Thirteen tracks of memorable, exciting and highly entertaining metal. For pre-existing fans, The Dark Tower will present an excellent new addition to a well packed catalogue. These tracks will definitely be a hit live with their audience friendly chorus lines and call and response rhythms. For new converts to the coven, it’s an equally great jumping off point to see what more the band has to offer.
Rating: 8/10
The Dark Tower is set for release on May 5th via Napalm Records.
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