All the best tunes belong to the Devil, and Portland’s bastard sons BEWITCHER have returned to take back rock n’ roll in Baphomet’s name. The speed demons are now unleashing the electrifying new single, “Starfire Maelstrom," which is the first invocation from the haunted trio’s upcoming album, 'Spell Shock,' due September 27 on on Century Media Records. The track is the hardened and bloodthirsty sound of BEWITCHER - noise, filth, fury n’ all - and can be found along with a lyric video, which was created by Scott Taysom, watch below.
“It’s full of apocalyptic, speed demon vibes, and imagery taken from the worst of current events that only get more apocalyptic as time goes by,” says BEWITCHER frontman Mateo von Bewitcher of the album's lead missive. “It’s the feeling you get from ‘Fight Fire with Fire’ on [Metallica’s] ‘Ride the Lightning.’ It’s immediate how it feeds into themes of human destruction and war, but also has cosmic elements. It’s a classic album opener.”
Joining Von Bewitcher, bassist A. Magus, and drummer A. Hunter in the studio this time was none other longtime BEWITCHER fan Lars Frederiksen. Most of the world knows Frederiksen as a force in his own right, playing in the likes of Bay Area punk heroes Rancid, as well as his own Old Firm Casuals. While to some, it may have been an unlikely pairing with Frederiksen taking the producer’s seat, for everyone in the studio the connection was immediate.
Says Frederiksen on Spell Shock: "It’s the best record I’ve ever produced for one of the best bands in the world."
Bewitcher's latest lightening strike comes just in time for the band's appearance at Milwaukee Metal Festival, in which they will be laying waste to The Rave/Eagle's Ballroom tonight, May 17! Bewitcher is currently on the road with fellow Portland-based occultists UADA and Century Media labelmates Upon Stone for "The Shadows Return" tour, which will continue to decimate the states until the final stop on May 28 in Sacramento, CA. The full itinerary can be found below! More dates including a Fall North American tour, and BEWITCHER’s return to Europe as they continue to extol their “Black Magick Metal” gospel will be announced soon
Stream and download the new single HERE.
BEWITCHER US Dates:
THE SHADOWS RETURN TOUR w/ UADA
05/17: Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Metal Fest
05/20: Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary (w/ Stabbing)
05/22: Nashville, TN @ Vinyl Lounge
05/23: Dallas, TX @ RBC
05/24: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
05/25: Phoenix, AZ @ Pub Rock
05/27: Las Vegas, NV @ Usual Place
05/28: Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Midtown
BEWITCHER EU Dates:
11/8-9/24 (SE) Umea - House of Metal Festival
Since their formation in 2013, Bewitcher has seen their signature “Black Magick Metal” sound go from humble beginnings to new heights of creativity and wild anthemic fervor. A small collection of long out-of-print demo tapes kicked off what has proven to be an enduring line of ripping studio albums, singles and EPs. They have earned a reputation as one of the hardest working touring acts around, bringing their volcanic, high energy live shows to every corner of North America and parts abroad.
Line-Up:
Mateo von Bewitcher – vox + guitars
A. Hunter – drums + percussion
A. Magus – bass guitar + backing vox
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