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BURNING WITCHES
Inquisition
Napalm Records

Vocal sorcery!
Piledriver riffs!
Strange brews!

Six albums into their non-stop whirlwind career of magic, mayhem and lineup changes, I'd be surprised that anyone in BURNING WITCHES can even spell their own names let alone cast such spells upon the land given their busy schedules lately. Yet, on their sixth studio album Inquisition, the Swiss powerhouse is just getting started with a darker, more thunderous concoction - diving headfirst into the themes of medieval persecution (mostly of women), religious oppression, and the unbreakable spirit of resistance. Featuring 12 brand-new tracks, the album marks a bold new era: forged in the flames of power/heavy metal, sharpened by anthemic songwriting and epic instrumentation. And if you thought that 2023's predecessor The Dark Tower was the pinnacle of classic metal epicness, Inquisition is a trip in itself with tight production and an unrelenting onslaught of burning riffs, crushing drums, and vocal sorcery, driven by producers Damir Eskic (DESTRUCTION) and V.O. Pulver (Little Creek Studio, PRO-PAIN, DESTRUCTION), and shaped by the songwriting of founding guitarist Romana Kalkuhl.

Already the haunting opener "Sanguini Hominum" sets the mood for the heavy metal madness with booming drums, Latin choirs and ominous guitar riffs, which takes its listeners back to the most brutal time of the Middle Ages. With "Soul Eater" the band dives deep into thrashy realms thanks to Romana and Courtney Cox's brutal riffs and the tireless rhythm section of Lala Frischknecht and Jay Grobbacking, Laura Guldemond's razor-sharp screams whipping through the darkness. The title track unleashes a true power metal thunderstorm where raw emotions are channeled into a fierce gripping groove. "High Priestess Of The Night" convinces with a carefree rocking attitude and a catchy 80's guitar solo that captures the mysterious power of ancient rituals. After the energetic "Burn In Hell", the atmospheric torch bearing ballad "Release Me" strikes softer tones that get under your skin. Other tracks like "Mirror, Mirror" present the riff-laden and indomitable DNA of the band, while "Malus Maga" is remembered as an epic conclusion with a driving groove and concise vocal lines.

With Inquisition, BURNING WITCHES present their most intense album to date - a dark and powerful manifesto between light and shadow. With epic melodies, menacing riffs and an unparalleled energy, the Swiss witches once again capture the essence of classic heavy metal, which they combine with modern heaviness - and proves how much their proverbial hex is on fire.

5.0 Out Of 5.0

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