RSS Feed


BURNING WITCHES
The Dark Tower

Napalm (2023)
Rating: 8/10

Hot on the heels of their 2021 album The Witch Of The North, Swiss metal queens Burning Witches keep us interested with their fifth full-length outing. Although rather long, The Dark Tower continues with the potent metal ethos as we witness a design driven by traditional metal structures dashed with speedier bouts.

These gals, since forming in 2015, have become somewhat forerunners in their respective field by consistently dishing out fiery heavy metal. The Dark Tower is no exception and is one of those rare albums which gets stronger as it unravels. Although we sort of know what is coming, Burning Witches again prove that they can deliver quality, well structured songs within a familiar framework, and like those previous releases there is that potent fiery nature that borders on the anthemic and bombastic through a collection of steely tirades. As I stated previously, the album is a touch overlong – you also get treated to admirable covers of Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Shot In The Dark’ and W.A.S.P’s ‘I Wanna Be Somebody’ as bonus tracks in some formats – but it also means that there is plenty of meat to rummage through.

The 80s influence will always leak into the sound of Burning Witches, but what also remains is a rather clean and glossy aesthetic which means that the more majestic segments benefit although the more ominous, brooding tones don’t. Even so, there is always that sense of the epic within the album, particularly with the title track. However, what I really like about this band is that it is no stranger to aggression amidst its more obvious traditional values, with ‘Unleash The Beast’ and ‘Renegade’ being prime examples, and then there are those menacing chugs where ‘Arrow Of Time’ and ‘Doomed To Die’ in particular stand out.

There is plenty of variation within the album, and let’s not forget the melodious side as we get struck by the lightning bolts of ‘World On Fire’, ‘Into The Unknown’ and the steady gallop of ‘Evil Witch’. One still feels however that Burning Witches could step up a gear but it never quite happens even with the fury on offer. That’s not to say that The Dark Tower or Burning Witches in general is an unfulfilling experience, but after five albums I’m still hesitant to rave about them. As an ideal festival or support band Burning Witches most certainly make their mark, but as a true tour de force I’m yet to be convinced.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share