"BURNING VILLAGE" by Mountain Witch

"Excellent horror rock! Just look at those song titles: The Dead Won’t Sleep, Forbidden Forest, At The Mountains of Madness, or Stone Age Funeral! That alone puts me in a good mood—these are the important things in life. Musically, we’re somewhere around 1970, where rock music becomes heavy, driving, and above all, dark and eerie. With their second album, Mountain Witch once again commit themselves to this sound that Black Sabbath and others introduced to the world, and with their obsession for vintage equipment, they come so close to it that you wouldn’t believe this is a new record.
I’m especially pleased that there’s more singing compared to their debut, Cold River—it suits the songs perfectly and enhances the eerie atmosphere I mentioned at the beginning. Anyone who even remotely appreciates old-school hard rock or consistent stoner rock absolutely needs to give this a listen.
The absolute masterpiece here is the seven-minute-long At The Mountains of Madness, which slowly builds up and brings its own distinct touch. It also creeps me out the most—especially towards the end when that psychedelic part veers unexpectedly far off course by Mountain Witch standards. Well done!
So, if you’re into old-school bands like Witchfinder General, Legend, Manilla Road, epic '70s proto-metal, or newer acts like Demon Head, Kadavar, or, of course, Mountain Witch’s first album, you need to get this. There’s been a development in the songwriting that I didn’t see coming.
Not an ounce of fat on these songs—they creep up your spine like the Grim Reaper himself. When the solemn title track kicks in, it’s like fog from another century rolling into my room. And if I’m lucky, it won’t take me with it or strip the flesh from my bones. I mean that seriously! That choir! Incredible!
Isle of Bones then turns so melancholic, almost icy, making for a perfect, hypnotic closer that leaves you with no choice but to flip the record and start all over again!"

Facebook
Instagram