I’ve always been in awe of the sheer talent of All Them Witches. After three years with no new releases, I was elated when they announced they’d be back in the studio recording a new album in January of last year. You can imagine my excitement when I managed to nab tickets for the London leg of their tour last October. It has been many years since I’d been to a heavy gig. All the familiar feelings of my early 20’s came flooding back as I headbanged my way through the set. Now, the Tennessee foursome have quenched my undying thirst with the first single of their new album, taking on the bluegrass classic, “Red Rocking Chair”.

The origin of “Red Rocking Chair” is largely lost to history. Initially recorded by Dock Briggs in 1927 under the name “Sugar Baby”. However it’s thought to be much older and taught via word of mouth through generations prior.

ATW gives the song a new lease of dramatic life. The verses are sparse; Park’s whisper is accompanied by gentle finger picking of McLeod’s guitar and droning calls from the bass. Before exploding into a cacophony of heaviness through the chorus. There’s something so satisfying about the way they produce a deep, driving intensity. Howling, relentless guitar and sludgy, ripping bass. Christian Powers is a force on the drums. You feel every hit in your chest, creating a beautiful kind of chaos. Being the first track to be released since his introduction to the band, I’m seriously impressed. The inclusion of Van Cleave on the violin throughout the later verses reunite the song with its bluegrass roots and sets the band apart as a whole.

I have never heard an All Them Witches song I didn’t like, which is really saying something. I now wait with bated breath for the release date for the new album, but you can’t rush perfection.