WITCH TRAIL

The Sun Has Left The Hill BABYLON DOOM CULT

Inventive Belgians snuggle amongst strange musical bedfellows

Over the last decade or so the influence on extreme music from both the unrefined bass bleed of Discharge and the swirling, gothic shimmer of The

Cure has been undeniable. Usually bands tend to pick one and run with it; not so Belgian loons Witch Trail. They’ve skilfully managed to create a debut album that brings the core shattering rumble of classic Motörhead and melded it with the stark, icy tones and grandeur of 1980’s post-punk. The result is often intoxicating, as if they exist in both preand post-black metal simultaneously, and when the motion sicknessinducing wail of album highlight Silent Running

arrives you can’t help but be whipped up into their web of intrigue. They don’t hit the bullseye as much in the album’s first half, but the consistency of its second act will surely make you excited for the future. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: Møl, Bosse De Nage, Joy Division STEPHEN HILL