Burning Witch
Crippled Lucifer (CD) 1998 Southeren Lord
If Burning Witch were to ever appear on a children's show they would probably be introduced with a comment like "Do you like feedback, distortion and painfully extreme vocals kids?". Followed by a mighty cheer from the audience. Then Stephen O' Malley (Also know from Thorr's Hammer and other bands) and the rest of the band would appear and make sure the children in the audience would have nightmares deep into adulthood. Burning Witch is an extreme doom act that only got well known (read cult status) after they had broken up. The music slowly crawls forward while some of the most tortured vocals ever screech in agony. The wall of sound is so thick and heavy it can knock a grown man over! The vocals might put a few people off. They are neither clean, nor grunts, nor real screams and can best be described as if somebody is running nails across a blackboard. This is definately a must hear for anybody who enjoyed the extremely harsh sounds of Thorr's Hammer. Actually come to think of it, this is simply a must hear! Also any fans of Burning Witch need to check Stephen's new band Khanate, which can be seen as an ever sicker version of Burning Witch!	1. Warning Signs 2. Stillborn 3. History Of Hell (Crippled Lucifer) 4. Sacred Predictions 5. Country Doctor 6. Tower Place 7. Sea Hag Approx. 62 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Goatsnake / Burning Witch split (Split) 2000 Hydra Head
Given the close friendship and co-operation between Greg Anderson (Goatsnake) and Stephen O'Malley (Burning Witch), this split isn't really a surprise. For example both of them make up the drone band SUNN0))). To my own surprise however the music of Goatsnake and Burning Witch also doesn't differ that much on this release, with both focusing on ultra heaviness usually associated with a horde of stampeding mammoths. Which is something that in Goatsnake's case surprised me greatly. Goatsnake kicks off this split with two songs which are heavy as concrete. Slow monotonous riffs pound onwards without relent. A very subtle Sabbatish sauce completes the music perfectly and on a rare occasion the music shifts into high gear and gets a little more grooving. Goatsnake however never forgets to focus on making their music sound as heavy as possible, assuring this is one hell of a doomy release. By flavouring everything with a bit of groove, the music isn't as monotonous as some drone bands are. It gains a certain "warmth" due to it. All in all highly enjoyable! Just when you're starting to think that Goatsnake is nice and heavy the Witch pops her ugly mug around the corner and redefines the term. The warm happy feeling you might still have felt with Goatsnake quickly leaves the room. Sick, twisted vocals, painful musical arrangements: yes sir, the witch is in town! Slow, unrelenting, monotonous and most of all unforgiving! Where the witch comes, flowers wither away and the sky turns black. If you're familiar with the other Burning Witch material, expect basically the same style. The witch doesn't like variation, she crushes! Goatsnake and Burning Witch perfectly compliment one another on this split. The music of both bands goes hand in hand, never ever breaking the crushing feeling. You only realise that Goatsnake is less heavy once Burning Witch kicks in. Both bands however clearly worship the SUNN amp. This split is a must for any drone (and perhaps also sludge) fan. As I understand it, it's not that easy to get anymore these days. It's well worth the (witch) hunt however!	Goatsnake 1. Raw Curtains 2. Burial at Sea * Burning Witch 3. The Bleeder 4. Communion Approx. 35 minutes * St. Vitus cover
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel