ALBUM REVIEW: Strung Out In Hell – Margarita Witch Cult
Riff slinging magicians MARGARITA WITCH CULT are back with their new album. Their 2023 self-titled debut heralded the arrival of the Birmingham three piece in crashing fuzzy style. Generating a wealth of memorable riffs, epic choruses and a glorious cascade of psych/stoner doom. Now, seeking to take things up a notch further, nine tracks capitalise on all the elements that made the first record standout combined with a harder attitude.
Wasting no time in announcing their arrival, the delightfully titled Crawl Home To Your Coffin finds the trio in indomitable form. A SABBATH like brooding guitar line gives way to a wall of sound that belies the fact that there are only three musicians here. The power that they strike is something that bigger bands could only hope to achieve. The crashing wall of sound fills the speakers and drenches everything in glorious fuzz. Yet there is expertly mixed layers and textures at work. This isn’t mindless drone. MARGARITA WITCH CULT have evidently not rested on their laurels from the debut and have been had at work. Their songwriting has evolved significantly whilst retaining the essence of their sound perfectly. Theres a clarity of purpose shining through the pulverising riffs and rhythms.
This development becomes clearer still on tracks such as lead single Scream Bloody Murder with its anthemic chorus line soaring above the intoxicating driving rhythms and catchy as hell riff work. They’ve concocted a winning formula without out the music sounding formulaic. With a sound that brings to mind many great doom and stoner forebears, yet is entirely original in its presentation. The band can also conjure a straight up psychedelic nightmare. Dig Your Way Out, comes across as a swirling cacophony. The mix deliberately muddied as the instrumentation delivers blow after blow of power chords and bludgeoning drums. The vocals are a tumbling, anguished cry. On paper, this sounds like a mess. Yet when presented by the band, it’s an absolute riot. Short sharp stoner shock that has bears itself with aggression and shows that MARGARITA WITCH CULT are more than capable of getting darker when necessary.
In an album studded with moments of excellence. Mars Rover stands as a beacon of both bizarre concept and as a slice of near perfect sludgy doom. Basing a premise on the actual Mars Rover and its final communication to NASA. They have managed to carve a powerful slab of rhythmic driven catchiness that also humanises an inanimate robot on the red planet. While we’re a few months away from compiling album of the year lists, this track should certainly make it as track of the summer. Searing guitar work, melodic and a chorus to shout every word to with heartfelt feeling.
This album struts with an eager confidence. MARGARITA WITCH CULT have absolutely found their groove and are set to let the world see it. Glorious and majestic, this collection of songs will leave audiences agog, gorging on the surging riffs and exceptional songwriting on offer. While their debut was something to relish, Strung Out In Hell is an absolute must for all disciples of the riff. A soundtrack for an apocalypse that captures pure fuzzed out fury with the last note ringing out a tantalising want for more.
Rating: 9/10
Strung Out In Hell is set for release on July 18th via Heavy Psych Sounds.
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