Burning Witches – Inquisition – Album Review – holdtightpr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Burning Witches are a power / metal quintet from Brugg, Aargau, Switzerland who were founded by rhythm guitarist Romana Kalkuhl in 2015. Romana was originally shredding with Atlas & Axis but always had a yearning to form an all female rock band, although they are from Switzerland there is an American & Dutch flavour running through the band that really gives it an edge. The girls have given us Burning Witches in 2017, Hexenhammer in 2018, Dance With The Devil in 2020, The Witch Of The North in 2021, The Dark Tower in 2023 and on the 22nd August they return with their explosive new offering Inquisition, please settle in and grab a cold one as we are about to have some face melting metal mayhem brought upon us.

Sanguini Homonium – We begin with symphonic chanting that is joined by a snare drum roll that really gives us a flavour of this onslaught that we are about to receive.

Soul Eater – The thundering power drums kick in the doors as this shredding monster rears it’s head as we feel the energy grabbing us by the throat as the pounding groove comes at us. The galloping twin guitar riffs are adding meat to this colossal number as the girls hit the ground running and really sock it to us, the soaring gritty vocals really wrap themselves around this fost pumping beast as the dark, brooding bassline brings the tone that really lets this track breathe. The pounding snare drum punches come for us with all they have as the bass kicks really add depth to this symphonic ball buster track as we get a real slick, clean track that has us punching the air with real joy as the band comes out swinging and really gives it all they have, soaring vocals with a real gritty edgy tone boost the track as the whole thing just comes together.

Shame – Slick, crisp guitar licks are getting this bad boy on the road as a pounding rhythm section leans in and adds depth and attitude to this melodic monster as it comes at us. The vocals come through and really bring a solid, melodic feel to this foot stomping killer track that is just building and building as we really get a cool feeling about this fantastic offering, the pounding rhythm section is commanding the room with it’s real heavy ended, punchy beat that just allows the track to grow as we stroll into a slick, melodic solo that just builds and builds and gives the track a swashbuckling feel as we raise our fistsin sheer joy at this thundering beast as the girls really let themselves go with this fantastic, ripper track.

The Spell Of The Skull – A face melting guitar lick wanders freely through the intro as this pounding monster leaves it’s mark as the soaring vocals reveal themselves and really lets the track breathe. The killer rhythm section is hitting us with solid, pounding grooves that really give this track a real rawness that just catches your attention, the gritty, almost growler vocals are leaning in and giving the arrangement some attitude as the track just opens with ease as the girls really bring the heat with this foot stomping epic composition. The slick, galloping guitar riffs add depth and bags of attitude to this killer track as Laura comes at us with her real dark, mesmerising vocals that just take the track to somewhere new as we just settle back in our chair and be taken to somewhere new as the girls really dig deep and slaughter every note that they lay down before us.

Inquisition – Pounding drums are the kick starter for this hard, heavy bruiser as it lets the track come at us with sheer vengeance as the snare drum punches rain down on us as this fist pumping beast awakes. The killer guitar riffs are ripping through the intro as the soaring vocals add real depth to this symphonic beast as we really feel the track grab a hold of us, the backing vocals are giving the track a real boost as we let the galloping riffs wander freely through the heavy edged rock track as we get our face melted with the sheer power coursing through the track as the girls allow the track to capture the essence of this killer record and what it stands for. The mid section changes pace as the haunting, symphonic melodies wander freely through the arrangement and let us feel the energy pulsing through every member of this epic all female group as they just take the track to the next level. This is one of these tracks that would go down a storm in an arena for sure.

High Priestess Of The Night – A cool, slick guitar riff erupts as the pounding rhythm section enters the frey and lets this fist pumping monster grab us by the throat as we really feel the groove hit us. The melodies are just on point the track gathers pace with it’s crunching riffs and powering rhythm section as the girls really bring their A-Game to this solid slab of pwer rock, the shredding power chords are weaving their way through the tempo laden gritty rocker track as the cool backing vocals add depth to this fist pumping arrangement. A slick shredding power solo flows effortlessly through the track as we feel the energy pulse through the track as the girls really come with all they have for sure, this is a real gem of a track that just demonstrates how much that this band has progressed from their inseption.

Burn In Hell – Pounding rhythm section erupts from the off as furious double bass drum kicks let the groove wash over us as this thundering beast rears it’s head as the band just come at us. The soaring power vocals are steering this track onwards as the funking bassline drops epic, dark, delicious tones that just let the track do it’s thing, the twin guitar assault is just awesome as we feel the power ripping through the main vein of this colossal offering. The thundering rhythm section is just awesome as Lala really brings the heat to this symphonic monster as the backing vocals really let the track flow effortlessly, the track is just on the money as we get short, sharp bursts of shredding prowess that just makes this record something special.

Release Me – A sweet, cool bass kick lets the rhythm section bring this killer ballad style track to our attention as Laura & the girls allow us to feel the emotion oozing from this epic arrangement. The slick guitar riffs are flowing freely through the track and really let the band express themselves through their killer lyrics that just stop us in our tracks for sure, the brooding bassline is bringing depth and swagger to the track as they wrap themselves around this pounding, emotion driven number that just tells us that the girls are on top form with this phenomenal number that really stops us in our tracks as we feel every word that is oozing from the band. A sweet, melodic guitar solo rises and really gives this track something special as we are just in awe of this killer composition as it showcases the powering vocals that Laura posesses

In For The Kill – Again the powering rhythm section is front and centre as we feel the full force of thundering bass kicks that let the snare drum punches fill the air as this shredding monster breaks free. The soaring, melodic vocals are just giving the track depth, swagger and letting the groove take this juggernaut record onwards for sure, we get real energy from the girls as they deliver a we crafted, pure melodic slab of power metal that is just grabbing us by the throat and letting us know that the girls are back. The galloping twin guitar assault is just awesome as we get our faces melted with the shredding licks that are flowing freely through this fist pumping, foot stomping harmonious number that is really giving us goosebumps, this is a return to form for the girls for sure as they are tearing through this record at a rate of noughts as they deliver another growling vocal driven track that will sound even better live for sure.

In The Eye Of The Storm – Melodic guitar licks flow freely from the off as this crunching beast breaks free and really gets the juices flowing as we feel every note hitting us with ease. The rhythm section is again at the centre of the track as it pounds it’s way through the intro and really lets the groove flow, the bassline is again dropping dark, moody grooves all through the track as the foot stomping mood continues with the girls really wrapping themselves in each track as they pour blood and sweat into this incredible slab of mower metal. A guitar riff breaks out as the rhythm section gallops alongside and really allows the tone to rise to the surface as we feel the energy ripping through every musician as they deliver a killer album that will fly out the door when it’s released.

Mirror Mirror – Thundering double bass kicks are the order of the day in this haunting, bruiser of a track as Laura leans in and lets her powering pipes bring the heat to this colossal rock track. The twin guitar riffs are working well with the dark, brooding bassline as we feel the energy coming at us with this killer thunderous track that is just ticking all the boxes, the kick ass drums are just controlling the tone from every angle as Lala gives her all in this punchy, face melting track that is fast, furious and has bags of swagger to back up the girls as they drive this monster onwards. The funking bassline is delivering a cool, funk laden groove that allows the twin guitar licks to really get us all pumped up as we near the end of this incredible album that just punches you straight in the face with it’s intense harmonies, killer melodies and impressive work that has gone into this phenomenal album.

Malus Maga – Finishing off we have a cool symphonic, haunting tone that brings killer bass kicks that let the incredible backing vocals lead the way as we get a real nice finish to this powering colossus of an album that just lets us know that the girls are back and firing on all cylinders.

Burning Witches –

Laura Guldemond – Vocals

Romana Kalkuhl – Guitars

Courtney Cox – Guitars

Janine Grob – Bass

Lala Frischknecht – Drums

Track Listing –

Sanguini Hominium

Soul Eater

Shame

The Spell Of The Skull

Inquisition