BURNING WITCHES – The Witch Of The North

The Witches Are Back With a Vengeance

Bursting onto the metal scene only 5 short years ago, Burning Witches have just completed their 4th studio album titled The Witch of the North. Formed by Swiss guitarist Romana Kalkuhl (ex-Atlas & Axis) with bassist Jeanine Grob and drummer Lala Frischknecht and the dream of creating an all female Old School Metal band, Burning Witches have more than succeeded in that goal. Vocalist Laura Guldemon (ex-Shadowrise) has the perfect voice as she goes from screaming, to growling, to singing beautiful haunting melodies with ease. New guitarist Larissa Ernst (ex-Gonoreas) adds a heavier element to the already heavy duty sound, perfecting the lineup.

Old School Metal Lives On

The Witch of the North is a collection of 14 songs that all fit into a Celtic/Druid theme, and in keeping with their tradition of covering a classic metal song they include a version of Savatage’s “Hall of the Mountain King” with guest solos by Chris Caffery. Romana on why Savatage: “At first we were keen on covering Saxon, because we have seen them live so many times. Then, at some point our singer Laura suggested the ‘Mountain King’, and this idea instantly got all of us excited.” Romana’s enthusiasm even went so far as to buy the same guitar model the late great Criss Oliva used to record the song in 1987. “We want to honor the roots and pay tribute to the bands that shaped us. What we are now we owe to these old bands. It means a lot to us.”

Final Notes

Burning Witches not only pay tribute to 80s metal bands, but are writing a new chapter in the genre. The Witch of the North is in ways heavier than the preceding album Dance With The Devil, and the guitar work is slicker and more tasteful. The songs are heavy, melodic and hard driving all at the same time. The production is impeccable, as the team of Swiss metal legend V.O. Pulver and thrash titan Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer (Destruction) return to work their magic again. With the best lineup to date, Burning Witches are hitting their stride in becoming one of the top Heavy Metal bands out there, and The Witch of the North firmly places them in the running. Burning Witches are the real deal. Add this to your collection already!

Lineup

Romana – Guitar
Jay – Bass
Laura – Vocals
Lala – Drums
Larissa – Guitar

Witch of the North – Tracklist

01. Winter’s Wrath
02. The Witch Of The North
03. Tainted Ritual
04. We Stand As One
05. Flight Of The Valkyries
06. The Circle Of Five
07. Lady Of The Woods
08. Thrall
09. Omen
10. Nine Worlds
11. For Eternity
12. Dragon’s Dream
13. Eternal Frost
14. Hall Of The Mountain King (Bonus)