Edinburgh trio-ish (Andrew Scott plays drums on this album) King Witch provide a potent blend of doom metal and rock on its aptly titled third release III. The record kicks off with the bombastic “Suffer In Life.” The chugging riffs and skipping tempo operate in tandem with the soaring vocals of front woman Laura Donnelly. This track leans more hard rock than doom, but there is a subtle darkness in the guitar tone. Guitarist Jamie Gilchrist throws out a lead that is both bluesy and shredding, in the vein of Zakk Wylde. “Deal With The Devil” is a sludge laden groove that immediately gets the head banging. Laura’s vocals are once again on display, particularly during the chorus. Things get heavier during the track’s midsection with a tight riff that would make Tony Iommi smile. “Swarming Flies” is the album’s lead single and an appropriate one. It is a heavy track that lasts under five minutes, “Flies” is a winding, dirge, replete with sinister riffs and a wah inflected guitar lead. “Sea of Lies” slows things down to a plodding march. The riff ebbs and flows like a vessel rowing through foggy sea to an island of despair. This is the album’s centerpiece and arguably the best track on III.
“Behind The Veil” meanders a bit too long, and does not sound good until the end. Fortunately, King Witch get back to rocking on “Digging In The Dirt,” with its driving tempo and bottom heavy riffing. Once again, the midsection makes this song as it slows down to a nice groove that allows Donnelly to do her thing. The acoustic “Little Witch” is a short acoustic track that I would skip over. However, “Last Great Wilderness” concludes III in fitting fashion. It is an eight minute trek of heavy guitars, slow drums and, and a baroque guitar solo to close things on an epic note.
King Witch does superb when it sticks to the basics. The best tracks on III are those with dark, memorable riffs that take the listener on a haunting journey. The band is not a one trick pony or musically limited. One can hear shades of Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath and Candlemass on here. However, when the band deviates too far from the metal sound, things are a bit naff. I am specifically referring to the tracks “Little Witch” and Behind The Veil.” These are the softest tracks on III and the weakest. There is nothing wrong with experimentation, but I think the band may want to limit the acoustics to a passage or interlude. Still, these missteps certainly do not cause the record to fall. The musicianship is excellent the production is solid, particularly the guitar tone.
III is an album for fans of traditional heavy metal and doom. This is not a Paradise Lost or Crowbar album, but it has a potent dose of down tuned riffage to appease a grizzled hessian. King Witch have crafted a sharp record that is worth checking out.
Check out the band’s page for news and tour dates: https://www.facebook.com/kingwitch
