Hunt The Witch

Hunt The Witch are an Auckland quartet who unabashedly make great Rock music. For this I thank them. They have been kicking around since 2013 beginning with guitarist Bevan Carbines and bassist Anthony Lakin. Drummer Jason Peters (formally of Pumpkinhead) joined thereafter with vocalist Sam Whitley eventually completing the line-up.

Into The Black is the band’s first EP and its clear just how well they gel together.

The opening track (and subsequent first single) Long Time Coming (aptly named) is a powerful number. It’s superbly loud with a sludgy tone that hits your ears in all the right spots. What I love the most is the fact that Sam’s vocals have a richness that sounds like no one but himself. No false pretences here. Perhaps it’s their maturity as a band and the years it can take to develop your own sound and style. Whatever it may be, Hunt The Witch have it down pat.

Throughout the five track EP the intensity increases and I get the feeling that the transition from CD to a live show is an easy one. Their progressive, polished sound is faultless. When I hear Bleed You Dry I get instant gratification hearing elements of Soundgarden. It’s a low and heavy with a satisfying fast tempo. As the last track, self titled, Into The Black starts to fade I’m left completely sated. The fluidity of range is enough to put everything back on repeat. When you hear well written Rock songs like this you can’t help but gravitate towards them.

Hunt The Witch are here and they want you to listen. - muzic.net.nz