From Scotland comes this heavy/doom metal band King Witch who have made strides in grabbing hold of the underground (and slightly above) through their crushing, versatile songwriting. Fortunate to latch onto this act through their impressive Under the Mountain debut album in 2018, the follow-up Body of Light from 2020 took mammoth hooks to the next level, showcasing elements of Candlemass, Black Sabbath, Grand Magus, Blue Cheer and more. Beyond the fact that vocalist Laura Connelly has one of the most engaging, hypnotic deliveries in the business – hitting notes mere mortals dream of in this Janis Joplin/Ann Wilson-esque grandeur, yet 100% in a heavy metal context.
Which brings us to the aptly titled III. Comfortable within their aural surroundings, session drummer Andrew Scott replaces long-time kit man Lyle Brown – so the band hasn’t lost any sharpness when it comes to their sound. Distant guitar lines signal the beginning strains of “Suffer in Life”, a groovy opener where Laura’s playful melodies match the bouncy musical foundation. Guitarist Jamie Gilchrist handles his parts and songwriting with charm plus deep affinity for his influences – expanding a bit more into stoner/grunge aspects that add to his natural heavy/doom metal tendencies. The layers of guitars/vocals next to this thick bottom end hefty takes “Deal With the Devil” into upper levels of doom-driven ecstasy – Laura’s swirling melodies sure to make ears perk up in rapt attention. The record navigates between shorter, more focused arrangements and the occasional sprawling effort where atmosphere, momentum, and transitions matter most.
The choice of lyrical themes this go around is much more personal – Laura assessing the current state of humanity, how we tend to destroy ourselves, and the struggles of mental health to push through into a positive realm. “Digging In the Dirt” is a back half barnburner between a hefty guitar charge and vocal urgency, the steady bass/drum foundation sure to ignite audiences in live settings. Closer “Last Great Wilderness” contains a sparse, morose feel in its early strains before the see-saw battle between distortion and chilling serene parts takes hold of this eight-minute track – the haunting screams and thoughtful lead break bringing things to a fulfilling end. Self-produced by Jamie in his Nameless City home studios, you can expect a sound that cuts through a thick fog, dense yet appropriate for the style on hand.
Rarely do you hear three albums in a band’s discography that consistently deliver all the facets one expects in this style of heavy rock and doom/heavy metal. Well, King Witch hit those expectations once again for III. While Body of Light remains the pinnacle release for this scribe, there’s plenty to appreciate through multiple playbacks for this record.