The Wytches - Our Guest Can't Be Named 
(Alcopop! Records)
Release Date: Out Now
Brighton rockers the Wytches have just dropped their latest album, 'Our Guest Can't Be Named', and it is honestly one of my new favourite things in the world. Getting straight down to business on opening track 'Zep Step', the quartet blend menacingly mysterious guitars with the throbbing energy of a US garage band and vocals that sound like they're being delivered at gun point. 'Maria' continues the eerie theme with a lurching rhythm and guitars straight out of a hipster remake of the Munsters while 'Sloped Old Tower' is a less intense affair, carrying the mood of a grey afternoon spent wandering around an overgrown cemetery on the edge of Nowheresville, USA.
'Bats' emerges slowly but steadily from the shadows until it's Nirvana-esque form is fully illuminated by the full moon light streaming in through the broken window. The guitars on 'Unsure' are pure broken-hearted Sunday afternoon fodder while 'Spark' takes that mood to it's internalised, violent natural conclusion. The doomy sludge rock of 'Something To Fall Back On' sounds like Queens of the Stone Age doing their best Black Sabbath impression (no bad thing at all) before title track 'Our Guest Can't Be Named' mixes the doom with grunge to make a glorious noise that will have live audiences collapsing with delirium.
The final pair of tracks starts with 'Bill Blood', returning to the hypnotising melodies of the opening tracks but with a desperation normally reserved for ritual sacrifices just before they are lowered in to the lava filled cauldron. The album closes out 'Fool' which is the lightest track on the album and offers you a sense of relief after what is an intense but hugely enjoyable ten track experience. Just remember though, the Wytches are for life, not just for Halloween.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/thewytches
Live Dates:
Wed 25th Oct - UK, Manchester, YES Pink Room
Thu 26th Oct - UK, Bristol, Dareshack
Fri 27th Oct - UK, London, The Dome
Sat 28th Oct - UK, Brighton, Green Door Store
Tue 07th Nov - France, Lille, L'Aeronef
Wed 08th Nov - France, Paris, Petit Bain
Thu 09th Nov - France, Strasbourg, Petit Bain
Fri 10th Nov - France, Reims, La Cartonnerie
Sat 11th Nov - France, Rouen, 106