This fearless, confrontational, and adventurous Epic Heavy and Doom Metal horde returns with their their opus, a bold, daring collection of eight songs that continue to push boundaries and shatter conventions.
Fearless, confrontational, and adventurous Epic Heavy and Doom Metal. That’s exactly what you’ll get in Witch Wife in an Alien World, the brand new offering by the unstoppable multi-national beast known as Smoulder, following up on their critically acclaimed 2023 sophomore Violent Creed of Vengeance. Recorded between Soundwell Studio by Valtteri Kallio, and Swift Road Studios by Vincent Ippolito, with mixing and mastering duties courtesy of Roland Rodas, and artwork by British fantasy and horror illustrator Ian Miller (reflecting the ugliness and hard truths of the album’s themes), the new offering by Sarah Ann on vocals, Shon Vincent and Collin Wolf on the guitars, Adam Blake on bass, and Kevin Hester on drums is a bold, daring collection of eight songs that continue to push boundaries and shatter conventions. Inspired by Sarah Ann’s current Finnish residence, citing the country’s “monumentally positive impact” on her life, including a high-functioning, affordable healthcare system to go along with a reliable 24/7 transit and robust outdoor space, complete with safe air and clean water, Sarah Ann wants the rest of the world to have what she has, tying into the album’s broader context of tackling more real-life themes that are purposely adversarial and coupled with a growing sense of disconnection in a world that, conversely, is more connected than ever through technology.
Kevin kicks off the band’s adventurous metal journey in Water Wars, before Sarah comes ripping with her epic, soaring vocals while Shon and Collin deliver their trademark Judas Priest-inspired riffs nonstop; and investing in a more Hard Rock-oriented sound we have Shadow Of The Vulture, with Adam and Kevin generating a reverberating atmosphere with their heavy, doomed kitchen. They keep blasting their hypnotizing fusion of Heavy and Doom Metal in Noitien Loitsu, boosted by another killer guitar attack by Shon and Collin while the song also features a guest solo from the band’s live guitarist, Bootleg Henkka (also of Finnish epic black metallers Havukruunu). And it’s time for another blast of Epic Doom Metal in the form of Crush The Neophytes, where Sarah once again steals the show with her striking, powerful vocals.
Back to a more ferocious, razor-edged sound we’re treated to the excellent Empathy’s Wrath, again showcasing the band’s characteristic epic vocals, crushing riffs and hammering drums, whereas they enhance their Doom Metal vibe in Their Name Lives On, melting our faces with the scorching riffs by the band’s unstoppable axed duo. Cathedral Of The Trees is another solid composition by the band, albeit a bit generic compared to the rest of the album, while they return to a more incendiary, killer sonority in Smouldering Remains, ending the album on a truly epic and visceral mode with Sarah’s vocals walking hand in hand with the rumbling sounds blasted by her henchmen.
After all is said and done, you’ll quickly realize Smoulder remain committed to exploration and adventure in their new album Witch Wife in an Alien World, always bringing something fresh and unique to their avid fanbase. If you want to explore the epic world ruled by Smoulder, you can find those amazing musicians on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their striking creations on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of the album from BandCamp, as well as from Cruz Del Sur Music as a CD, a black vinyl LP, or a limited edition spectral purple LP, or click HERE for all things Smoulder. Smoulder are on fire throughout their entire new opus, opening our eyes to some of the issues that are leading our society to damnation, while keeping our souls warm and protected by their killer, epic heavy music. All hail Smoulder, and may we all be able to one day experience the alien world inhabited by the mighty witch Sarah Ann.
Best moments of the album: Water Wars, Empathy’s Wrath and Smouldering Remains.
Worst moments of the album: Cathedral Of The Trees.
Released in 2026 Cruz Del Sur Music
Track listing
1. Water Wars 4:36
2. Shadow Of The Vulture 4:16
3. Noitien Loitsu 4:52
4. Crush The Neophytes 6:57
5. Empathy’s Wrath 5:02
6. Their Name Lives On 4:48
7. Cathedral Of The Trees 5:24
8. Smouldering Remains 7:00
Band members
Sarah Ann – vocals
Shon Vincent – guitar
Collin Wolf – guitar
Adam Blake – bass
Kevin Hester – drums
Guest musician
Bootleg Henkka – guitar solo on “Noitien Loitsu”
