Hard rock and metal have their highs and their lows, but as a sub-genre they will always be popular. Burning Witches definitely has the potential to break out of that to greater status. Of course, it helps that the band consists of five beautiful women, but what's more special is how they manage to consciously connect thoroughly crafted metal, with a leg firmly planted in the 80s of
Dio and
Iron… Maiden, to feminine power. The European group was founded by Swiss guitarist Romana Kalkuhl, but an important weapon is mainly Dutch singer Laura Guldemond. Her voice is as powerful as it is round and melodious, and she knows how to give shape to her mythical lyrics about magic and witchcraft. The epic songs full of double looped guitar riffs, stampeding drums and raging guitar solos also have some nice moments of rest, like the worn ballad Lady Of The Woods. This makes The Witch Of The North a nicely balanced and pleasant metal album. (MR)more
