Witch Fever, Sunbird Records. 8th September 2023

As I’m driving here tonight I’m thinking this better be good, it’s a bit of a trek to Sunbird Records in Darwen. As I walk in though, a band called Sugarstone are banging out a cover of ‘Head Like a Hole’ and they’ve nailed it. They’re half way through their set, so there’s only a few more songs, but they follow a similar thread of industrial mayhem, with the odd hip hop bounce thrown in for good measure. They sound good, even if the soundman is an absolute madman. Seriously the levels are life threatening.

I’ve come all this way in a heatwave to see Witch Fever. A Manchester band clearly happy to put the work in to spread their word of doom laden post punk savagery. Their debut album released last year was a suckerpunch to the senses and after the levels reached by the warm up, I’m a little terrified by the prospect to come. What a great venue this is though, it’s not massive, but it doesn’t feel cramped either. I guess they’ve got more space to play with up here. The power-dirge of ‘I Saw You Dancing’ kicks off as the room fills, the temperature rises and Amy stalks the stage with menacing confidence. It wouldn’t feel out of place in a 90s metal club. Despite the raw no fluff approach, these songs are deceptive. Tight punk drums and powerchords make for a heady concoction and the perfect vehicle for some vitriolic lyrics delivered by a singer with more energy than the rest of the room combined, she’s in the crowd at one point a a bloke three times her size visibly backs off almost with a bow. The newer songs build on the foundation they’ve set out and they play with the sort of swagger that bleeds off the stage. It’s not all bludgeoning breakneck bangers though, they do slow goth swept euphoria too, ‘Congregation’ delivering the change in pace at the perfect point. “We’re not the most polished band, but we’re fun”. I disagree with the first bit and wholeheartedly agree with the second. Some bands just have that something that there are no words for and Witch Fever have it in excess. After 40 minutes I’m ready to nail my colours to the mast and declare this the most exciting set I’ve seen this year, possibly longer. There are no more words, go buy yourself a ticket to see them as soon as you can. Drive miles if you have too, on a scorching day, they’re worth it I promise you!