Fearless, confrontational, adventurous epic power doom metal!

Fearless, confrontational, adventurous epic power doom metal! Canadian/American metallers Smoulder return with their long-awaited third studio album, Witch Wife in an Alien World, a bold, daring collection of eight songs that continue to push boundaries and shatter conventions. The affixion of epic and Greek black metal to Smoulder's already-wide set of influences should not surprise anyone. The Canadian/American quintet covered Bathory's 'The Woodwoman' during their 2025 appearance at Burgbrand Open Air in Lauchröden, Germany. For a band that, from the jump, prided itself on expanding epic power doom metal into worlds beyond, the heart of the matter is that Smoulder remains committed to exploration and adventure--for remaining in one spot would be antithetical to the band's existence. That principle guides Smoulder's third full-length studio album, Witch Wife in an Alien World. Smoulder have summoned eight songs of depth and intrigue, venturing from the triumphant opener 'Water Wars,' rollicking, custom-made-for-headbanging 'Shadow of the Vulture' and sweeping 'Cathedral of the Trees' and 'Smouldering Remains.' Of immediate note is the band's first half-English, half-Finnish-sung number, 'Noitien Loitsu,' a cut that found Sarah Ann digging into her Finnish roots. The song, which celebrates the forest Sarah Ann and Vincent live adjacent to in Helsinki, deftly alternates between English and Finnish sung verses and even blends both languages in the chorus. The song also features a guest solo from the band's live guitarist, Bootleg Henkka (also of Finnish epic black metallers Havukruunu). The album's cover was created by British fantasy/horror illustrator Ian Miller, whose previous credits include works for Stormkeep and Ulthar, as well as some H.P Lovecraft book covers, the animated film Wizards with Ralph Bakshi (one of Sarah's all-time favorites) and his work on Warhammer and Magic: The Gathering.

Track Listing

• Water Wars
• Shadow Of The Vulture
• Noitien Loitsu
• Crush The Neophytes
• Empathy's Wrath
• Their Name Lives On
• Cathedral Of The Trees
• Smouldering Remains

Additional Details

Label: Cruz Del Sur

Genre: Metal

Language: English

Run Time: 42:59 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 11/06/26

UPC: 8032622216424