We have been living and breathing this EP for the last few months, as War Grave are both booking and PR clients for ‘business’ side of UK Thrashers… but you know, we always throw our managed bands output into our pit of hungry reviewers who don’t care about mine or anyone else’s feelings… here’s what the Dark Cookie thinks about the new single from War Grave!

WAR GRAVE hail from “that” London, and they play Heavy Metal. And for now that’s all you get! Well, nearly all.  Too add the brand of Heavy Metal encompasses old school Metal with a decent smattering of Thrashing Heaviness to keep most lovers of the genre we call Metal very interested.

“Witch” is the lead single from their soon to be released EP “War Grave” in April, and having listened to the EP, oh boy! We are in for a treat! And throwing us the very tasty bated hook as the first taste especially with the added flavor of guest vocals from one of todays leading Metal Monsters Mr. TIM “RIPPER” OWENS, yes him of JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH and current pipes master general for KK’’s PRIEST. 

So how does an up and coming band snag a guest of such renown?  Well the power of Social Media and great big brass balls did it.  ROMAN noted on the Socals Mr. Owens had a bit of a gap in his touring schedule, and plans were hatch, ideas pitched and emails sent, and hey presto! A musical match made in Heavy Metal Hell was forged.

Give the song a listen and you will get why this pairing works so well. Both RIPPERs and ROMANs voice work together being at opposite ends of the Metal spectrum.  TIMs higher pitch snarl working very well with ROMANs cleaner, more melodic Metal delivery. And the song suits both vocalists, leaning into WAR GRAVE’s more Metallic side, leaning into PRIEST territory (either way you can take that, both are equally valid), bult from the get-go on a break-neck beat and equally hard riffing and soloing.  This band are no slouches. You will be more than satisfied with this mighty slab of HEAVY METAL!! And boy will you be gagging for more (believe me the wait is worth it)!

Lyrically, the song deals with a relationship that takes a manipulative turn when the lady twists her man to her will, eventually losing everything, including his SOUL!

And also, like albums from the greatest Metal Bands around this has to be all wrapped up in an amazing cover!  The art for the “Witch” single and indeed the next single (I’m such a tease) and the EP are from Heribertus M Mitakkuddin of  Speedwhore Studios.  Being a sucker for a good comic book I love the art.  The single features the eponymous Witch herself and ties into the EP’s art, as does the art for the next single (more of a tease!), but for that you have to wait.  So, in the meantime enjoy this huge slab of Metal, you are gonna love it!

War Grave – Witch is out NOW (15th March) with the next single War Graves out on the 12th April, and the self titled EP War Grave will be released on the 26th April.

Join the lads for their EP pre -launch show at the Dev on the 19th April