This is the next to last album featured among the avalanche of 13 metal albums by bands lead by women in the past couple months, featured here in Metal Sirens. One of the best albums of the year so far, buy this immediately!
Portland doomsters Witch Mountain had been around for several years before they acquired vocalist Uta Plotkin. Her powerful vocals evoke fellow Northwest rockers the Wilson sisters of Heart, which make the band have an even heavier impact, while inspiring them to push to greater heights. It seems they’ve worked up some momentum now, as their third album, Cauldron Of The Wild comes out June 12. People who were impressed by South Of Salem (2011) will be blown away by the new one. Plotkin must have just been warming up on the last album, or her time spent touring with the band has boosted her confidence, because she really lets loose on Cauldron. “Lanky Rae” kicks off the album with a gunslinging, bluesy swagger, and “Beekeeper” hammers it hard, low and heavy while Uta wails. “Veil of the Forgotten” even surpasses it. “Aurelia” is the longest cut at 11:49, starting out with a plate-tectonic slow, mountain-making doom groove, and launches into a badass solo before mellowing out into an acoustic outro. “Never Know” continues with the quieter approach, taking its time to reach an earthshaking crescendo. Witch Mountain will be touring soon, don’t miss it. | The Soda Shop Review
