LIVE REVIEW: BURNING WITCHES + ASYLUM + REVENGER @ CROWBAR 24/05/25
Burning Witches - Photo Charlyn Cameron
Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi. Photos Charlyn Cameron.Burning Witches with Asylum and Revenger
Burning Witches scorched The Crowbar in Brisbane with their first every tour of Australia. The Swiss heavy metal coven brought local bands Asylum and Revenger and their spellbinding brew of 1980s heavy metal inspired guitar shredding and drum fuelled power fury to fans. And, it was awesome fun!
There were some quick-fire re-arrangements to the gig in Brisbane as the support band Temtris were unable to play due to their drummer, Nicholas Bolin, having a heart attack during the Sydney concert. Everyone at the Brisbane gig sent their best wishes to the band and Nicholas Bolin and wish him a speedy recovery.
The evening kicked off with local Gold Coast based band Revenger. The band delivered a blistering display of heavy metal power. Revenger’s tight riffs, thunderous drums, their fantastic singer with an amazing vocal range, their brilliant guitarist and commanding stage presence set the perfect tone for the night with real energy and skilful heavy metal abilities on show. Revenger warmed up the stage perfectly for Asylum and Burning Witches.
There was a large crowd for Revenger at The Crowbar. The band performed a five-song set with the songs ‘Troubles Third Child’, ‘Thorn And Memory’, ‘The Journey’, ‘Tamarang’ and they closed out their set with ‘Book Of Shadows’. It was a fantastic performance and the Gold Coast band proved why they’re a rising force in the metal scene.
The stage set-up for both support bands had the drummers up-front. It was so good to see the drummers out in front. It was great to highlight them. It meant that the crowd could see the driving force of the drummers’ excellent work at delivering the rhythm which was at full force from the start from both bands.
The second band of the evening was the Brisbane local thrash metal band Asylum. This band are always so good live with their high-energy performances that showcase their musical fire. Asylum kicked off their six-song set with the powerful opening song ‘Genocidal Conspiracy’ and that merged into the track ‘Eternal Violence’ bringing a dynamic and fast-paced set together.
Burning Witches - Photo Charlyn Cameron
On ‘Cruelty Obsessed’ Asylum’s guitarists hit their stride and were “warmed-up”. The skill level from the guitarists was simply amazing to watch. Their fingers were literally dancing over the strings and the machine gun pulses from the guitars joined with the bass guitar to make the most astonishing sounds – machine gun fire riffs and rapid pulses.
For the fans in the crowd the tracks ‘Concealed Death’, ‘Sadistic Intent’ and the closing song of the set ‘Tyrannicide’ were delivered with real skill as the circle pit was going off. Even though there was an odd joking request for Asylum to: “Can you play Pink Pony Club”. Asylum’s set was a fantastic warm up for the crowd and they were terrific.
The house lights came up. The curtains were drawn across The Crowbar’s stage as equipment was changed, warmed up and backdrops were up into place.
It seemed like ages to wait. The anticipation built for Burning Witches set and the crowd built up as well. The time came and the stage curtains opened to a new set. The drummer Lala Frischknecht got herself into place. The bloke beside me asked me to write a hello to him “the best bloke I have ever met”. Done! And, the set commenced with some dramatic introduction music as the band bounded happily onto the stage.
The band took to the stage with real confidence and well-rehearsed energy. Jay Grob’s bass lines thunder beneath the surface, drummer Lala Frischknecht kept perfect time with brisk and decisive drumming. Courtney Cox, the lead guitarist carved out sharp, melodic solos with finesse. Simone Van Straten, who was covering Romana Kalkuhl’s duties, was tight with her guitar skills. But it was Laura Guldemond who held the centre with her mesmerizing stage presence. Her voice alternated between gritty growls and piercing high notes and her ability to control the crowd was grounded in the theatricality of 1980s metal that she delivered with modern urgency.
Laura Guldemond, as the focal point of the band, was also fantastic at filling in the crowd about the changes to the gig – why Temtris was not playing, and why Burning Witches founder and rhythm guitarist Romana Kalkuhl was not touring with the band to Australia due to her exciting news of a baby due in the European autumn, which is wonderful news. She was upbeat and positive throughout the whole 14 song set.
Burning Witches - Photo Charlyn Cameron
Burning Witches delivered a career spanning setlist with songs from every one of their five albums and one of their new singles as a new album is being written. The set commenced with ‘Unleash The Beast’ from ‘The Dark Tower’ and Laura Guldemond unleashed her thunderous voice as she belted out that first song. Her voice was spectacular. Then ‘Dance With The Devil’ the title song from the album ‘Dance With Devil’ followed and ‘Maiden of Steel’ from ‘Hexenhammer’ and then ‘Nine Worlds’ from ‘The Witch of the North’ came next. Then, the band cycled around to fabulous title track ‘The Dark Tower’ from 2024’s superb album ‘The Dark Tower’.
Burning Witches, then, delivered the one of their new singles released in December 2024 ‘The Spell Of The Skull’ which was really well received by the crowd. The interplay of the two guitarists, Simone Van Straten and Courtney Cox generated the melodies and the power riffs. Lala Frischknecht’s drums and Jay Grob on bass guitar underpinned the heart pounding rhythms and power behind the music as they pulled all of the sounds together.
The second half of the set included tracks from ‘Dance With Devil’ such as ‘Wings of Steel’ and ‘Lucid Nightmare’. Two tracks were performed from ‘The Witch of the North’: ‘Flight of the Valkyries’ and the fantastic ‘The Witch Of The North’. Then, Burning Witches played their classic hit ‘Hexenhammer’. And, they delivered two songs from ‘Burning Witches and Burning Alive’: the tracks ‘Black Widow’ and they closed the set with the encore song ‘Burning Witches’.
The crowd was smaller than I expected and there were probably about 200 people in The Crowbar, but it actually gave the night and the performance an intimate atmosphere. It was a massive benefit, as it meant Burning Witches could really connect with the fans and build a stronger fan base. And, on the strength of Burning Witches performance from last night, we want them to return to Australia soon – they were so good!
Burning Witches delivered an amazing performance. If you get the chance to see them, I recommend it. It was amazing to see this band who fill stadiums in Europe at The Crowbar. If you want to feel like you are really part of the show, then seeing bands at venues like this are the best, instead of being one of thousands at a large venue. Burning Witches, Asylum and Revenger put on a night of exciting and excellent power metal music.
