When I first heard that Smoulder were releasing a new album, I must admit I expected a natural continuation of “Violent Creed of Vengeance” (2023). In other words, I was expecting another collection of polished, epic doom/heavy riffs accompanied by their familiar fantasy tales. Instead, “Witch Wife in an Alien World” caught me completely off guard. And you know what? That’s both its greatest strength and its most challenging aspect.
What I feel when listening to this album is a strong sense of raw underground atmosphere. The production isn’t “perfect” in the modern sense. It has a murky, almost live underground feel, as if you’re buried inside a small, sweaty club with the band playing right in front of you. The guitar duo is absolutely on fire, especially on tracks like “Water Wars”, where their speed-driven heavy metal takes you on a wild ride, while the doom passages carry a truly crushing, mournful weight.
The album’s biggest stumbling block, but also its soul, is Sarah Ann. The woman doesn’t simply sing. She puts on a theatrical performance. Her vibrato is so exaggerated and manic that, at times, I find myself wondering whether she’s taking things a little too far. However, the more I listen to it, the more I realise that this particular kind of madness is exactly what gives the album its personality. It’s not for everyone, but it’s 100% authentic.
If I compare it to their debut, “Times of Obscene Evil and Wild Daring” (2019), that album had a pure, almost teenage ’80s epic metal spirit. It was love at first listen. “Violent Creed of Vengeance”, on the other hand, was their most mature, cohesive and “properly put together” record. “Witch Wife in an Alien World” is the rebel of the family. It’s darker, more chaotic, and lyrically it turns its attention to a contemporary social nightmare rather than dragons and swords. Even the cover artwork by Ian Miller, replacing the classic fantasy paintings of Michael Whelan, makes it clear from the very first glance that the band has turned a new page.
I won’t tell you it’s their best album, because “Violent Creed of Vengeance” remains my favourite as their most complete work. However, this is an album I deeply respect because it refuses to play it safe. If you’re looking for something easy to digest, it might wear you out. But if you’re after something quirky, rough around the edges and full of underground spirit, it’s worth every second.
♦ 7/10
Frost and Fire
