Congregation

Witch Fever’s debut album culminates in what the band like to call “full rage mode”. Since their formation in 2017, the Manchester quartet have had a reputation for making riff-heavy, lyrically furious music that consistently bursts out of the confines of one genre. But their first full-length project, Congregation – out via Music For Nations / Sony on October 21st – sees them going further out of their comfort zone, and to further extremes.

Congregation captures Witch Fever at their heaviest and most challenging yet. Produced by Pigs x7’s Sam Grant at Blank Studios in Newcastle, the album’s 13-tracks incorporate everything sludge to new wave without lingering in one sound for too long. Some songs like “Deadlights” and “Bloodlust” power along with a more toothy evolution of the “doom punk” Witch Fever started out playing, while the title-track marks a complete departure into delirious post-punk, dragging along at a stalking pace with a sludgy Warpaint-inspired bass riff. Walpole’s voice has also evolved in every respect – the rasps are raspier, the screams more guttural, and the melodic moment cut through with a powerful grace and clarity.

Refusing to be confined by gender or genre, Witch Fever have always defied expectations as individuals in society. Now, they’re defying expectations as a band. Congregation is the sound of punk without boundaries of any kind, and with it Witch Fever are ushering in a new era of heavy music that’s accessible, confrontational and, most importantly of all, a huge pressure release.