Inquisition [LP], Burning Witches, Vinyl

When BURNING WITCHES take the stage, the world trembles beneath their firestorm of heavy metal might. On their sixth studio album, Inquisition, out August 22, 2025 via Napalm Records, the Swiss powerhouse returns with a darker, more thunderous brew — diving headfirst into the themes of medieval persecution, religious oppression, and the unbreakable spirit of resistance. Featuring 12 brand-new tracks, the album marks a bold new era: forged in the flames of power/heavy metal, sharpened by anthemic songwriting and epic instrumentation. Following the classic heavy metal tones of their previous record, The Dark Tower (2023), Inquisition delivers tight production and an unrelenting onslaught of burning riffs, crushing drums, and vocal sorcery, driven by producers Damir Eskic (Destruction) and V.O. Pulver (Little Creek Studio, Pro-Pain, Destruction), and shaped by the songwriting of founding guitarist Romana Kalkuhl. With booming drums, Latin chants and eerie guitar melodies, opener “Sanguini Hominum” sets a harrowing mood for the medieval power/heavy metal madness! With “Soul Eater”, BURNING WITCHES descend into a fierce thrash underworld, unleashing relentless drums, savage riffs, and razor-sharp screams that slice through the dark like a scythe. The title track “Inquisition” opens the gates with a tempest of high-energy power metal, as thunderous basslines, pounding drums and twin guitars dripping in witchery support Laura Guldemond’s hair-raising vocals, channeling raw emotion and groove. The rousing single “High Priestess Of The Night” pulses a heavy rock swagger and a melodic 80s-style guitar solo, capturing the mysterious strength of ancient rituals. After the high-octane ride of “Burn In Hell”, the witches shift gears with “Release Me”, a melodic ballad that blends rich atmospheric soundscapes with chill-inducing vocals. Subsequent tracks like “Mirror, Mirror” dive back into the band’s signature riff-laden heavy metal sorcery, while “Malus Maga” stands out with energetic grooves and memorable vocal lines, making it a more-than-worthy epic closer to the album.