Burning Witch

Burning Witch
Burning Witch.
Background information
Origin	Seattle, Washington, USA
Genres	Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, Drone Metal
Years active	1995 - 1998
Labels	Bad Acid, Slap a Ham, Merciless, Hydra Head, Southern Lord Records
Associated acts	Sunn O))), Thorr's Hammer, Goatsnake, Asva, Bird Eye, Lesbian, The Poisoned Glass
Website	MySpace

Burning Witch were a doom/drone band from Seattle, active from 1995 - 1998. They are notable for having ties to Sunn O))), Goatsnake, Asva and The Poisoned Glass.

History

Burning Witch formed in Capitol Hill, Seattle in early 1995 after the breakup of the death/doom band Thorr's Hammer by Stephen O'Malley, Greg Anderson and Jamie Sykes. The band then added G. Stuart Dahlquist and vocalist Edgy 59, rounding out their lineup. Anderson left the band before they had recorded any real Burning Witch songs to start the band Goatsnake though he would perform two live shows with the band before his departure.

In 1996, the band (now as a four-piece) recorded songs with renowned indie producer Steve Albini, which would become the Towers... EP. This collection would actually not see a formal release until 1998 on Slap A Ham Records. After the sessions for these songs, Sykes left the band and was replaced by B.R.A.D. (Brad Mowen). The sessions that followed the Albini recordings resulted in the Rift.Canyon.Dreams EP. The band would soon break up right after this recording session.

Shortly after disbanding a compilation CD of both EPs named Crippled Lucifer was released in 1998 by Southern Lord Records. It was the second release of the label, the first being Dommedagsnatt by Thorr's Hammer. Burning Witch briefly reformed for their last shows in the fall of 1998 after which Edgy 59 left the band, causing the band to dissolve.

Stephen O'Malley would reunite with Greg Anderson to form Sunn O))) in 1998. Stuart Dahlquist would join Sunn O))) and Goatsnake before eventually forming Asva with Brad Mowen. Dahlquist and Edgy 59 would reunite in a new band named The Poisoned Glass, who would do a European tour in 2016.

In 2008 the Crippled Lucifer compilation would be reissued as a 2CD set featuring all ten studio recorded songs. A 4LP vinyl box set (In the works for many years.) would follow in 2011 adding a bonus live LP and DVD (Featuring three live performances, including both performances with Greg Anderson.).

Discography

EPs

• Towers... (1998, Slap a Ham)
• Rift.Canyon.Dreams (1998, Merciless Records)

Demos

• 1996 Demo (1996, Self-released)

Split Releases

• Goatsnake / Burning Witch (Split with Goatsnake) (2000, Hydra Head Records)
• Capichos I-80 / Rift Canyon Dreams (Split with Asva) (2004, Dos Fatales)

Compilations

• Crippled Lucifer (Seven Psalms For Our Lord of Light) (1998, Bad Acid Records; Southern Lord Records)
• Burning Witch (2011, Southern Lord Records)

Members

• Edgy 59 - Vocals (1995 - 1998)
• Stephen O'Malley - Guitar (1995 - 1998)
• Stuart Dahlquist - Bass (1995 - 1998)
• Greg Anderson - Guitar (1995 - 1996)
• Jamie Sykes - Drums (1995 - 1996)
• Brad Mowen - Drums (1996 - 1998)

External Links

• Southern Lord page on Burning Witch.
• Superheavy Sounds interview with Edgy 59
• White Heat Magazine article on Burning Witch.
• Sleeping Shaman interview with Edgy 59.