Canadian/American epic power doom metallers SMOULDER will return with their third studio album, Witch Wife in an Alien World, due October 9 in Europe and November 6 in North America via Cruz Del Sur Music. The band have also unveiled the album’s first single, “Water Wars,” alongside a new video premiered by Decibel.
Following 2023’s Violent Creed of Vengeance, SMOULDER continue to expand their epic power doom foundation while incorporating influences from epic and Greek black metal. Across eight tracks, Witch Wife in an Alien World pushes the band into heavier and increasingly adventurous territory while tackling themes rooted more directly in the world around them.
The album was recorded between Soundwell Studio in Espoo, Finland with Valtteri Kallio and Swift Road Studios in Chicago with Vincent Ippolito. Mixing and mastering were handled by Roland Rodas.
Alongside the triumphant opening track “Water Wars,” the album features the headbanging “Shadow of the Vulture,” the expansive “Cathedral of the Trees” and closing track “Smouldering Remains.”
One of the album’s most distinctive moments arrives with “Noitien Loitsu,” SMOULDER’s first song performed partly in English and partly in Finnish. Vocalist Sarah Ann, a dual Canadian/Finnish citizen now living in Helsinki, drew upon her Finnish roots and the forest surrounding her home for the track. The song also features a guest guitar solo from SMOULDER live guitarist Bootleg Henkka of Finnish epic black metal band HAVUKRUUNU.
The album title itself was inspired by Sarah Ann’s experience living in Finland and the contrast she sees between the country’s quality of life and political and social conditions elsewhere. Those feelings of alienation and disconnection feed into the album’s broader themes, giving Witch Wife in an Alien World a more confrontational real-world focus.
British fantasy and horror illustrator Ian Miller created the album artwork. Miller’s extensive credits include work connected to Warhammer, Magic: The Gathering, H.P. Lovecraft publications and Ralph Bakshi’s animated film Wizards. His artwork marks a visual departure from SMOULDER’s previous studio albums, which featured pieces by legendary fantasy artist Michael Whelan.
Following the album’s release, SMOULDER intend to place an even greater emphasis on their live performances, with the band’s expanded live lineup drawing musicians from the death and black metal worlds.
“Having a crushing live show has become priority number one for us,” Sarah Ann explains. “You have choices as a band: you can go the costumes route, go the lightning and props route, or go the lurid and atmospheric and dark. All choices are valid, but for us, the final option resonated.”
Witch Wife in an Alien World will be available digitally, on CD and as a vinyl LP featuring a foiled cover, 12-page booklet, poster and download code.
Witch Wife in an Alien World Track List
- Water Wars
- Shadow of the Vulture
- Noitien Loitsu
- Crush the Neophytes
- Empathy’s Wrath
- Their Name Lives On
- Cathedral of the Trees
- Smouldering Remains
Pre-order Witch Wife in an Alien World:
CD | Black Vinyl LP | LMT Vinyl LP
SMOULDER lineup
Sarah Ann – Vocals
Shon Vincent – Guitar
Collin Wolf – Guitar
Adam Blake – Bass
Kevin Hester – Drums