When BURNING WITCHES come together, the world is ablaze! With just a sip of their bewitched brew of heavy metal, the quintet whisks the listener back to the heyday of the hottest and cruelest era in rock history. Inspired by the trademarks of classic 80s heavy metal – like skyscraper guitar solos, bludgeoning, raspy vocals and screams, and fast paced drums – BURNING WITCHES unleash a searing attack once more with their fifth studio album and Napalm Records debut, The Dark Tower, out May 5, 2023. Fasten your broom’s seatbelt for this wild and fiery ride!

Napalm Records

The fifth studio album of the all-female quintet from Switzerland officially came out on the 5^th of May this year, focusing eyes and ears to one of metal’s favourite enchantresses. Formed in 2015 and with a pentagram (five-edge star) on the background of their band logo, now it’s perfectly clear which the sacral number for BURNING WITCHES is. Fuelled by the spirit of the 80’ties, the musical message delivered with this album extends the line of what we’ve heard from them before, taking it on a higher level, boldly climbing the ladder of the dark tower of metal mastery. 

Rise Of Darkness – Rich acoustic guitar intro, with echoing chants welcomes us to enter the dark realm of witchcraft, seducing the imagination in creating an ambience of its own, ready to deploy a bestial plot of exuberance.

Unleash The Beast – Its right there! A hellish scream tears rips up the darkness and the beast jumps on us with a wild savagery. It’s the perfect opening song with kiss-ass main riff theme, getting the volume high, pushing forward the pumping lyrics, climaxing into a roaring chorus which is crushing you relentlessly. I bet a good six-pack of lager, this will be the first track of the setlist of the band, once they embark on a tour to promote live their release.

Renegade – Classical 80’ties metal pattern guitar intro puts us in perspective for what’s coming along. Strong vocal presence stretches the old-school vibe, bringing some sweet memories, while the twin-guitar duelling keeps the solid musical frame. The renegade is on the prowl, out of control, scanning for his next target. It won’t be a bold statement to say that this song is a really fine blend of traditional heavy metal and fair share of modern days stylistics. 

Evil Witch – Finally…now we’re talking! The congregation of witches gets together casting their spells from hell. In a middle-paced tempo we’re taken through the story, summoning the evil spirits. The way of delivering the singing, combined with a distinctive high-octane drumming, gradually builds this song towards a trademark power metal flavour, naturally complimented with an easy to sing along chorus, decorated with a short speedy solo to close the circle. 

World On Fire – The curse is unleashed upon the world and all hell breaks loose. The witches’ passion for pain is transformed in fast shredding guitar play and bombarding rhythm section. The lead vocals carry on in story telling style, being an excellent vehicle to take us across this next chapter of wicked indulgence. This track really keeps the flame of the album burning, steaming energy from the Underworld. 

Tomorrow – There is a new dawn, a new day. Slow down, melancholic intro, unlocks this ballad of tragedy and hope. In drastic contrast with the musical outline, we witnessed so far, “Tomorrow” breaks the pattern in a beautiful way with the grace of a gentle feminine touch, converting the doom and gloom into a delicate rebirth of vitality. 

House Of Blood – Getting deeper into the world of witchcraft, this minute-long interlude reminds us for the dominating concept, as we are about to enter the darkest lair of them all…

The Dark Tower – Title track of the album hits us with the tense guitar orchestration and demonic vocals, leaving no doubt that the witches mean business. To overall feelings of cruel madness and infernal agony pierce the mind to a point of no return. As curious as it may sound, you can find some satanic Slayer influences here, despite the dominant marching beat of this unholy anthem. 

Heart Of Ice – Pounding drums invite clean vocals, sounding like a prophecy carved in stone. It’s kind of linear song, with straightforward construct, not standing out with anything remarkable, besides the exquisite guitar solo, which jumps from here to there like a wounded beast on a leash. 

Arrow Of Time – Seems that except the fast paced, racing heavy tracks, the other favourite style of songs for “Burning Witches” are the marching staccato epic anthems that emphasize on the chorus as main form of expression. Arrow Of Time is a wonderful example of such approach, riding on with confidence and grandeur from start to finish. 

Doomed To Die – Back on the speed lane, a frontal attach of lethal metalwork takes us by storm. Shredding riffs fill the air with tension, challenging the vocals to escalate even higher in this relentless race of debauchery. Doom and gloom are squeezing life from each and every cell, death is riding our way on wings of despair. 

Into The Unknown – The longest track on the release greets us with complex instrumental intro, before the slashing singing of Laura Guldemond invade all senses. Rough, harsh and untamed energy is bursting the ground, transforming gradually into more melancholic mid-section of the song. But make no mistake. This is another witchery trick to suffocate us in the obscure void of the unknown. Those ladies really show a master metal craft in this one!

The Lost Souls – All final spells are cast and here we find elements from almost all previous enchantments. The speed, the booming drums, the epic vocals and sizzling solos – all thrown in the mesmerizing cauldron to create a magic potion of stunning proportion. 

CONCLUSION: In “The Dark Tower” five of the most brilliant ladies in heavy music remain true to their signature style of song writing and for sure those most devotes fans will be delighted with this production. In the same conceptual and not so, the album follows distinctive story line, stripped from exotic experiments and sudden surprises. Hardly to be considered a masterpiece , nor shining with any outstanding hits (except my favourite “Unleash The Beast” ☺) , the fifth studio creation of “Burning Witches” is a great addition to their discography and can’t wait to hear how they brings those tunes on live stage. 

THENWOTHM SCORE: 7/10

Photo Credit: Martin Rahn, Damier Eskic 

Tracklist The Dark Tower:
1. Rise Of Darkness
2. Unleash The Beast
3. Renegade
4. Evil Witch
5. World On Fire
6. Tomorrow
7. House Of Blood
8. The Dark Tower
9. Heart Of Ice
10. Arrow Of Time
11. Doomed To Die
12. Into The Unknown
13. The Lost Souls

BURNING WITCHES are:
Jeanine Grob – Bass
Lala Frischknecht – Drums
Romana Kalkuhl – Guitars
Laura Guldemond – Vocals
Larissa Ernst – Guitars

BURNING WITCHES online:

Amazon
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Website
Napalm Records