REVIEW: IRON WITCH – SINGLE MALT

What we have here is 100% Eyehategod worship par excellence: IRON WITCH are stuck knee deep in the dirty swamps of ultra slow, ultra sick Sludge that has been cultivated by EHG and their many disciples. They’re hailing from Liverpool, England, and even though the English North-West isn’t exactly known for its swamps, closeness and blistering heat, England is home (and birthland) of some of the heaviest Sludge, Doom and Stoner Rock bands ever – and IRON WITCH has everything it takes to gain their place in this hall of downtempo fame.

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Of course this kind of Metal isn’t exactly aiming for the reinvention of the wheel. But that’s not what its fans wanna hear anyway. It all comes down to reinterpreting the old mantras established decades ago as good/sick as possible. And IRON WITCH succeed in this big time.

Bluesy riffs, unhealthy like the Louisianan midday sun, nihilistic whirls of pain and depression and a Black Flag‘ish uncomfortableism build up to a outstandingly sick, harsh and feedback ridden bastard of an EP. Worth mentioning is the guitar sound – crisp, harsh and painfully defined, yet unpolished and raw as fuck it mercilessly keeps dripping down on you. And the overall production of Single Malt is no less appropriate – sandpaper grinding on knuckles would probably be more bearable.

You can download Single Malt from IRON WITCH‘s bandcamp or purchase the limited CD there. I’m a bit disappointed that there’s no vinyl release of this sicko, but maybe it’ll see the light of the day sometime. Anyway, Single Malt is a absolute winner you shouldn’t miss.

IRON WITCH is on Facebook and on Twitter