King Witch | III | Listenable Records

 

    King Witch formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, and has steadily built a reputation as one of the more consistent modern acts in the doom and heavy rock underground. Blending weighty traditional doom with elements of classic metal and occasional stoner rock flair, the band is fronted by Laura Donnelly, whose commanding vocal presence has been a central part of their sound since their debut. Their previous albums, "Under The Mountain" and "Body Of Light," showed a steady evolution in songwriting, pacing, and intensity, gaining them a strong following within doom circles and beyond.

"III" feels like a natural extension of everything King Witch has developed so far, and it's delivered with a sense of confidence and focus. The band sticks closely to what works best for them—slow-burning grooves, weighty riffs, and vocals that soar without sounding theatrical. Compared to earlier releases, there’s a noticeable emphasis on shorter, punchier songs that still manage to preserve the atmosphere and density the genre calls for.

The production is full-bodied and gives the band’s heavier tendencies the space they need to hit hard without dragging. Riffs are thick but never muddled, and the drums push the pace forward effectively, lending the album a sharper momentum than its predecessors. The vocals remain the centerpiece, and Donnelly’s delivery carries conviction without leaning too far into excess.

There’s a stronger sense of urgency on tracks like “Suffer In Life” and “Deal With The Devil,” which open the album with a direct and immediate feel. Mid-album tracks like “Sea Of Lies” and “Behind The Veil” manage to carry weight without feeling overwrought or sluggish. The band sounds tighter than ever, striking a balance between doom’s long-form weight and traditional heavy metal’s sense of motion.

The closing song, “Last Great Wilderness,” offers a fitting end with a sense of scale that doesn’t stretch into indulgence. The bonus CD-only cover of Soundgarden’s “Jesus Christ Pose” is an unexpected but fitting tribute that’s delivered with conviction and control.

"III" doesn’t try to change the identity of King Witch, but it does refine and tighten it. It's a strong, well-paced, and fully realized doom album that plays to the band’s strengths without becoming static or overly familiar.

Score: 8.2