Margarita Witch Cult - Strung Out In Hell (Album Review)

 

Release Date: July 18th 2025. Record Label:Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Strung Out In Hell - Tracklisting

1.Crawl Home To Your Coffin

2.Scream Bloody Murder 

3.Conqueror Worm

4.Witches Candle 

5.White Wedding (Billy Idol cover)

6.Mars Rover

7.Dig Your Way Out

8.The Fool

9.Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm

Members

Scott Abbott - Vocals & Guitars

James Brown - Bass, Vocals, Synth, Mellotron, Guitars

George Caswell - Drums & Vocals

Review

Well, Margarita Witch Cult actually did it. They actually FUCKING did it. They’ve released an absolute unmissable record with their second album Strung Out In Hell. They may have actually made a deal with SATAN himself. This record flat out rocks with its spectacular use of Fuzz, Doom, Psych, Sludge and Stoner Metal surroundings. Throw in a contemporary style of Heavy Metal with a seedy level of fun that allows the band to grow out of the shadows from their musical heroes in creating their own style of Distorted Fuzz Metal with a sense of Psychedelic danger lurking in the midst.

Margarita Witch Cult received some great acclaim with their 2023 self titled record but the band aim for BIGGER, HEAVIER and FUZZIER movements that delivers with a sense of classic NWOBHM and PROTO METAL throwback energy whilst keeping with a seedy modern flow. The record opens with Crawl Home To Your Coffin, Scream Bloody Murder and Conqueror Worm which sees a dark POPPY effect being added whilst adding some much needed classic HARD ROCK grit with a sense of SATANIC quality appearing with the vocals and lyrics. 

The record is downright mean in places but all done in the best possible DEVIL ROCK taste with a classic style of AMPLIFIER HEAVINESS paying homage to the likes of Saint Vitus, Black Sabbath and Electric Wizard. With Uncle Acid sadly missing in action recently, Margarita Witch Cult are more than capable of taking their place with the standout tracks of Conqueror Worm and WItches Candle conjuring up a shit-ton of demonic based grooves down your spine.

Though, I’m going to say one of my favourite tracks on the album is a brilliant cover of the Billy Idol classic track White Wedding. Sure, this song has been covered multiple times before but this is one of the best versions I’ve heard of that track. As Margarita Witch Cult make it their own by adding multiple layers of GLOOMY feedback with that SATANIC presence whilst keeping the core essence of the original track. The screeching guitars and kick-ass vocals is PURE DYNAMITE.

The second half of the album does become quite spaced out with SYNTHS and MELLOTRON appearing out of nowhere which does add a true WTF crazed energy to the whole album though Margarita Witch Cult keep on the right side of Doom/Stoner Metal credibility. Songs such as Mars Rover, Dig Your Way Out and Who Put Bella In The Wych Elm generate a ton of seedy instrumental passages and highly energetic aggressive melodies that crackle with violent FUZZ ROCK attitude for the underground masses to fully appreciate.

Strung Out In Hell is the type of record that could elevate Margarita Witch Cult to greater heights against fellow Occult Doom Rockers GREEN LUNG in the next twelve months or so. The band are working with the amazing Heavy Psych Sounds again and it’s a perfect fit with this album being expertly produced with the right amount of Doomed Out coming for you at all angles for a record that’s on course to be considered on of the best underground albums of the year.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Strung Out In Hell is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Margarita Witch Cult - Margarita Witch Cult (Album Review)

Release Date: April 21st 2023. Record Label: Heavy Psych Sounds. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Margarita Witch Cult - S/T: Tracklisting

1.Diabolical Influence 04:17

2.Death Lurks At Every Turn 02:09

3.The Witchfinder Comes 04:54

4.Be My Witch 03:44

5.Annihilation 01:41

6.Theme From Cyclops 01:33

7.Lord Of The Flies 05:20

8.Aradia 03:44

9.Sacrifice 03:59

Review

Margarita Witch Cult debut album is a collection of Proto-Metal sounds that has a classic and modern quality throughout. The band fuse Doom, Stoner, Psych, Hard Rock and even Sludge Rock elements to their music. The end result is a record that has a “troublemaker” or “rebel” quality to it all. The sound is mostly powered by Proto-Doom grooves with a muscular Psychedelic presence. 

The seedy attitude of the album shines through on the excellent opening track Diabolical Influence which sees the band play a vintage blend of Stoner and Doom with a slightly Sludge based Psych sound that has elements of classic “Twin Guitars” on the later stages of the track.

Second track Death Lurks At Every Turn is a Heavy Punk/Sludge Rock number where the band play some of the fastest sounds on the album. The song has a “Speed Metal” feel which screams 1980’s Heavy Metal with perhaps Motorhead being a main influence. The subtle WEEDIAN grooves have a more gloomier feeling but the song remains catchy throughout and with the short running time, Margarita Witch Cult play some of the most interesting moments on this track alone. 

Third track The Witchfinder Comes is the band full on Doom Metal mode with heavy Occult and Proto-Metal grooves working wonderfully with the kick-ass vocals and superb lyrics. The track will appeal to fans of 1970’s Heavy Metal era that has moments of Black Sabbath and Blue Oyster Cult inspired music appearing here and there. The song has a cool sounding Classic Hard Rock flow and the later stages moves into slightly Stoner based territory with fantastic Guitar Shredding being one of the best parts of the song. 

The next few songs Be My Witch, Annihilation and Theme From Cyclops sees Margarita Witch Cult switch things up a bit with more Heavy Metal ideas appearing but still being within the Proto-Doom or Proto-Metal mindset that allows Be My Witch and Theme From Cyclops being more standout tracks on the album to lookout for. The vocals on Be My Witch have a classic Punk Rock energy with more gloomy attitudes spilling over into Annihilation.

The final stages of the album follows the same creative template as the other tracks with perhaps a more seedier attitude appearing within the music that allows Lord Of The Flies being my favourite track off the whole album.

There is a buoyant and vibrant energy within this album and that’s mostly helped by the band’s addictive and fast-paced grooves. The lyrics are downright seedy at times and Margarita Witch Cult expertly play a mixture of great classic sounds from the hey-day 1970’s Doom Metal and 1990’s Psychedelic Stoner Metal and giving it a slightly contemporary feeling.

Margarita Witch Cult have teamed up with Heavy Psych Sounds for this album and you know with that powerhouse label’s backing, the album is going to sound wonderful. The production values are off the chart that allows Margarita Witch Cult to release an album that delivers all the goods where the grooves are concerned. 

Check out this great album now.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the promo.

Margarita Witch Cult self titled debut is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Heavy Psych Sounds (Europe) and Heavy Psych Sounds (USA)

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Sabbath City stadium-doom trio MARGARITA WITCH CULT to release self-titled album on Heavy Psych Sounds; stream first single now!

Birmingham's heavy metal power trio MARGARITA WITCH CULT launch the frantic first single taken from their forthcoming self-titled debut, to be released this April 21st on Heavy Psych Sounds. Fire up with "Death Lurks At Every Turn" now!

"Riff-lovers everywhere gather around because heavy riff disciples Margarita Witch Cult are here to become your torchbearers of unholy din." - GigRadar

"Margarita Death Cult aren't just an awesome band name, they're an awesome metal band." - New Noise

Born from the murky industrial depths of Birmingham, UK, MARGARITA WITCH CULT’s self-titled debut studio album is a tour-de-force in classic metal, hard rock, doom, and mind-melting psych, a timeless, merciless beast — one that will chew you up and spit you out, yet somehow keep you crawling back for more! A total must-have for fans of dark and boogie-laden heavy à la Green Lung, Orange Goblin, Orchid.

 

💀 Listen to "Death Lurks At every Turn" via Distorted Sound Magazine 💀

About the new single, the band comments: "‘Death Lurks at Every Turn’ is a hair-raising thrasher- breakneck snare rolls, snarling vocals, feral guitar solos and pile-driving bass all collide in beautifully chaotic fashion in this relentless rager from the Birmingham band’s upcoming debut studio LP. Part thrash havoc, part doom-laden grunge; pure pandemonium. This 2-minute aural assault is an unfiltered, unrelenting reminder of the inevitable-  a gut-punch with pure, demented precision."

Debut album "Margarita Witch Cult"
Out April 21st on Heavy Psych Sounds - Preorder

TRACKLIST:

01. Diabolical Influence
2. Death Lurks At Every Turn
3. The Witchfinder Comes
4. Be My Witch
5. Annihilation
6. Theme From Cyclops
7. Lord of the Flies
8. Aradia
9. Sacrifice

About the album: A thunderous drum fill propels you into opener ‘Diabolical Influence’ - a lurching behemoth of a tune that makes easy bedfellows of crushing stoner riffs, Latin incantations, and a simply humongous chorus. The pace quickens with the frantic ‘Death Lurks at Every Turn’ - a hair-raising thrasher of breakneck snare rolls and unruly guitar solos. ‘The Witchfinder Comes’ only furthers the sense of foreboding, as tales of torture and pleas for exile fall on the ever-deafening ears of the listener. ‘Be My Witch’ comes in hot and heavy as a grungy ode to the forbidden, and the blistering ‘Annihilation’ concludes side A with speed-freak ferocity.

The more adventurous and immersive side B is kick-started with ‘Theme From Cyclops’ – the deft chops of all 3 members being undeniable as we gallop into the ambitious, face-melting journey that is ‘Lord Of The Flies’-a belting doom groover that culminates in a classic guitar & bass dual to rival even the most virtuosic of axe-wielders. As we near the end of our perilous sonic expedition, ‘Aradia’ serves up an instrumental serving of pure downtuned filth, with sleazy swagger and tasteful shredding that give extra provenance to its author's deep bag of tricks. The killer blow comes in the shape of the simply savage ‘Sacrifice’ - an unholy exhibition of undeniable force. The duality of the track makes for an experience that leaves our sweet listener reeling- the bludgeoning weight of its monstrous main riff giving way to razor-sharp verses and a tripped-out, mind-bending psych jam- only to come crashing back to crushing reality as the final, fatal notes ring out.

MARGARITA WITCH CULT is
Scott Vincent - Vocals & Guitar
George Casual - Drums
Jim Thing - Bass

MARGARITA WITCH CULT links
Facebook⎜Bandcamp⎜Instagram⎪Spotify

HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS links
Website⎜Facebook⎜Bandcamp⎜Instagram⎜Youtube