EP REVIEW: Guns, Drugs And Filthy Pictures – Devil’s Witches

In order to mark the third anniversary of their debut album, Glasgow’s DEVIL’S WITCHES have released Guns, Drugs and Filthy Pictures, a Record Store Day exclusive limited edition magenta/black splatter 10” limited to 1500 copies worldwide. It is a bold move to release something to commemorate an earlier release, particularly one as good as the aforementioned opus, Velvet Magic, as comparisons are inevitably invited. So, is this new release up to muster?

The EP’s title track begins strongly, Throbbing riffs heralding smoky vocals and an up-tempo swing that conveys the bands love of the song’s namesakes. To an unfamiliar ear the track sounds an awful lot as though Jus Osborn had taken over guest vocals for a resurrected KYUSS. The guitar work on display is passable and even culminates in some very agreeable solos woven throughout. For the most part however it doesn’t feel as punchy and interesting as those on display on Velvet Magic. The vocals are very low in the mix and as such the lyrical content, particularly in the verses seems to get buried by the lurching walls of fuzz thrown out by the band. What began as a rebellious, rock-n-roll anthem seems to fall flat because of this, how can the listener possibly get the message if they can’t hear what it is?

Surprisingly, the vibe of the EP completely changes upon the second track, Cross My Path, I’ll Cross Your Face. The fuzzed out, stoner-psych of the opener is replaced with Soupy western vibes, clean vocals and an acoustic backbone which conveys a tale of a lone gunslinger’s revenge on the high plain. It is a somewhat jarring and unexpected change, as the track owes more to JOHNNY CASH than SLEEP.  Given what has gone before, this track seems a bizarre inclusion on this EP, as the wild veering between musical styles serves only to distract from the apparent intent of the record, making the country ballad seem more like a random inclusion rather than a solid B-side.

Although once this point has been made, It should be noted that this track does make for an interesting listen if you happen to be into country music. The mysterious multi-instrumentalist Witchdoctor General growls out an interesting tale above rhythmic acoustic guitars, spinning a yarn fit for any grizzled country bar, but If you came looking for an acid tainted soundtrack to a psychedelic freak-out then there’s a good chance you may only find disappointment in this closer.

Overall, Guns, Drugs and Filthy Pictures seems to show two sides of a band who are overflowing with influences and elements which can often collide to produce stellar material, but unfortunately can also sometimes leave the listener scratching their head and wondering what just happened. There were undeniably some interesting ideas and bold choices on display here, however they seem to not have gelled together quite as well as DEVIL’S WITCHES had first intended.

Rating: 5/10

Guns, Drugs and Filthy Pictures is out now via Majestic Mountain Records.

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