Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 22/07/2016
Label: Secret Law Records
‘A
Harrowed Ground’ is packed with vehemence and anger bubbling under the filthy
surface and threatens to go berserk if pushed...Thankfully we don't get our
heads smashed in, rather we get a warning that should we push any further,
we'll be whacked about the head with the fat end of a pool cue. It's this menace, like the stare of a crazed
junkie on a comedown, that's made Iron Witch one of the stand out sludge acts
in the UK and with Chris Fielding behind the desk, the edges are polished but no
less piercing and deadly, he has captured the essence of a band at their crushing
best. Iron Witch are carrying the torch for British Sludge and are glowing in
the light it provides.
‘A Harrowed
Ground’ CD//DD//LP track listing:
1).
Beauty and Rot
2). Salvation Through Nothing
3). Machinery of Violence
4). Under the Pyre
5). Belly Full of Rats
6). Solitude and Decay
2). Salvation Through Nothing
3). Machinery of Violence
4). Under the Pyre
5). Belly Full of Rats
6). Solitude and Decay
The Review:
When
a band are able to make a sizeable name for themselves before releasing a full
album, you know there's something special going on! Iron Witch are such a band;
their collection of splits, EPs and singles thus far have been very well
received by anyone and everyone who has listened and many a stage has been
obliterated by their live performances. Now with a modified line up and debut
full length 'A Harrowed Dawn', Iron Witch
demonstrates that they're not fucking about.
'Beauty and Rot' sets a moody tone with
the use of clean guitars and slow motion riffage to kick things off. It's
packed with much vehemence and anger bubbling under the filthy surface and
threatens to go berserk if pushed...Thankfully we don't get our heads smashed
in, rather we get a warning that should we push any further, we'll be whacked
about the head with the fat end of a pool cue, or so the brooding menace of 'Salvation Through Nothing' leads me to
believe. It's this menace, like the
stare of a crazed junkie on a comedown, that's made Iron Witch one of the stand out
sludge acts in the UK
'Machinery Of Violence' begins with some
downtrodden melancholy and then gives nods towards Eyehategod, a reference the band
would have no qualms about, as the filthy grooves and paranoid wails emerge
from the bleak fog. 'Under The Pyre'
and 'Belly Full Of Rats' further
perpetuate the Eyehategod
references; the former in it's slow building, rabid delivery and the latter in
it's pulsating swing...and that opening riff, man that's a tasty slice! 'Belly...' has the distinction of being
my personal favourite on this album, a difficult feat considering the quality
of the songs throughout. It's got the kind of nasty groove that makes me
grimace and nod my head in public...and I already look like a weirdo.
Last
up is 'Solitude and Decay', a moody
number, calculated and caustic in equal measure, the despair in the melody of
the opening riff will make 90's kids question their misspent youth...then that
rage that has been held back throughout the album is finally unleashed and
justified in it's aggressive furore which then descends into regret, mourning
and alcoholic shame.
Once
again, with Chris Fielding behind the desk, the edges are polished but no less
piercing and deadly. He's managed to produce some of the highlights of 2016 and
here, captures the essence of a band at their crushing best. Iron Witch
are carrying the torch for British Sludge and are glowing in the light it
provides.
‘A Harrowed Dawn’ is available here
RIYL: Eyehategod,
Moloch, Siege Mentality, Crypt Lurker
