BURNED AS WITCHES
Burned As Witches (self-released)
Ash drummer Rick McMurray is branching out with a new side project, the band Burned As Witches. With McMurray playing all instruments, the self-titled BAW debut album features eight songs packed with guitar riffs reminiscent of Black Sabbath, the project’s inspiration.
Opening with Scapegoats, the gating of the guitar lets the drums land with an even more powerful impact. This track has, without a doubt, the most impressive production. Driven by a gritty edge, Pay The Ferry reminded me of The Cult – you get the sense someone got a new guitar they wanted to try out – and vocally, there’s an urgency in Truth Comes Crawling and Spartan Mass that gives the album an intriguing restless energy. Each track climbs with tension. Closing the debut album, the guitar-heavy rhythm in To The Sky radiates driving, high-octane energy, carrying the seven-minute track with effortless momentum.
words ELLIE EVANS
