In history, the concept of burning witches is a dark and disturbing practice that was prevalent during the medieval times and the early modern period. These were times when people believed in superstitions, magic, and the existence of evil forces. The belief in witchcraft was widespread and any individual, especially women, could be accused of being a witch. Accusations of witchcraft could arise from various reasons, such as jealousy, personal vendettas, or even political and religious motivations. Witches were thought to have made pacts with the devil and gained supernatural powers to harm others. They were believed to be responsible for various misfortunes or illnesses, and the fear of witchcraft led to mass hysteria and paranoia.

Southern Lord Recordings

FORMATION:
After the breakup of the cult doom/death band Thorr’s Hammer in 1995, Stephen O’Malley, Greg Anderson and Jamie Sykes formed Burning Witch. The band then added G. Stuart Dahlquist and vocalist Edgy 59, rounding out their lineup. Anderson left the band and moved to Los Angeles to form the band Goatsnake. In 1996, the band (w/out Anderson) recorded songs with Steve Albini, which would become the Towers… EP. This collection would actually not see a formal release on 12″ until 1998 on Slap A Ham Records. After the sessions for these songs, Sykes left the band and was replaced by B.R.A.D.
The sessions that followed the Albini recordings resulted in the Rift.Canyon.Dreams EP, which would prove to be the final recordings by the band, as they broke up soon after the disc was completed. It was released on 12″ by Merciless Records.

DISINTEGRATION:
Shortly after disbanding: ” Crippled Lucifer” a compilation CD of the two EPs, was released in 1998 by the then new label Southern Lord Records. It was the second release of the label, the first being Thorrs’ Hammer. Burning Witch briefly reformed for their last shows in the fall of 1998 after which Edgy 59 left the band. O’Malley reunited with Anderson to form Sunn O))), and Dahlquist joined both in sunn 0))) for their first two albums (The Grimm Robe Demos øø Void) then briefly joined Anderson in Goatsnake for the “Flower of Disease” album. Currently, O’Malley is in various projects including Sunn O))), and KTL. Dahlquist and B.R.A.D are in Asva.

THE UNHOLY BIRTH OF A GENRE….
The sound, attitude and execution of Burning Witch is very slow, painful, and heavy. While the band was unabashed about their influences they effectively used these influences to create something unique for the time. Ultra-heavy, dark minimalist riffs, bombastic bass, and plodding war drums collided with vocals which alter between a nasal, melodic singing voice to a brutal, tortured demented scream/shriek. Burning Witch were truly the first band to incorporate the dark atmosphere of Black Metal with tortured doom-metal. Their influence is worn on the sleeves of many bands these days including: Graves At Sea, Goatsblood, Middian (YOB), Isis.

Burning Witch

Country of origin: United States Location: Seattle, Washington Status: Split-up Formed in: 1995 Genre: Sludge/Drone/Doom Metal Themes: Drug abuse, Psychedelia Last label: Southern Lord Recordings Years active: 1995-1998

The band rose from the ashes of Thorr's Hammer in 1995.

After the band broke up Stephen O'Malley and Greg Anderson relocated to L.A. and New York respectively.

Compilation appearances:
- "Sacred Predictions" on Ham Slappin' Hits! Cassette (Slap a Ham Records, 1998)
- "History of Hell (Crippled Lucifer)" on At the Mountains of Madness CD (The Miskatonic Foundation, 1999)
- "History of .

• Complete lineup
• Last known lineup
• Past members

Southern Lord Recordings

The 1st Burning Witch album. Circa 1996. Recorded by Steve Albini during the vernal equinox 1996 at Robert Lang Studios, Seattle. Originally released as a demo tape in 1996 then released by Slap-A-Ham on vinyl in 1998. Southern Lord released a cd version (including Rift.Canyon.Dreams) in 1998 & 12” LP version in the Box Set circa 2011. Remastered from the original 1/2″ master tape (lost until this version) by Mell Dettmer.
available on: Black Vinyl, Opaque Red Vinyl

Towers track listing:

1. Sacred Predictions
2. Country Doctor
3. Tower Place
4. Sea Hag

They were believed to be responsible for various misfortunes or illnesses, and the fear of witchcraft led to mass hysteria and paranoia. Once accused, a witch would go through a series of trials, often referred to as witch trials. These trials were often unfair, as the accused were presumed guilty until proven innocent.

Listen!

The trials often involved torture and forced confessions, where the accused would be subjected to various forms of physical and psychological torment. If found guilty, the punishment for being a witch was usually death by burning at the stake. This cruel method of execution was believed to be a way to purify the accused of their evil powers and rid the community of their presence. The accused would be tied to a stake and surrounded by burning wood or other combustible materials. The flames would engulf the individual, causing excruciating pain and usually resulting in a slow and agonizing death. The burning of witches was not limited to a specific region or country. Witch hunts and executions took place in various parts of Europe, America, and even other parts of the world. The most infamous witch trials occurred in Salem, Massachusetts, where several women were accused and executed in the late 17th century. As time went on and societies progressed, the persecution of witches gradually declined. Enlightenment thinkers and advancements in science and rational thought began to challenge the belief in witchcraft. Laws and attitudes changed, leading to the eventual end of witch burnings and the acknowledgement that the accusations were unfounded and unjust. The burning of witches stands as a horrifying reminder of the dangers of superstition, prejudice, and mass hysteria. It serves as a stark reminder of the atrocities humans are capable of committing when driven by fear and ignorance. Ultimately, the persecution of witches was a dark chapter in history, one that we should remember and learn from to ensure that such injustices are never repeated..

Reviews for "The Witchcraft Community's Response to Burning Witches: Resistance and Survival"

1. Joe - ★★☆☆☆

I was really disappointed with "Burning Witch." The plot was weak and the characters lacked depth. The whole story felt rushed and poorly developed. It's a shame because the concept seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. I don't recommend wasting your time on this one.

2. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆

I couldn't even finish "Burning Witch." The writing was atrocious, full of clichés and inconsistencies. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the characters were one-dimensional. I found myself rolling my eyes with every page turn. Save yourself the trouble and skip this book entirely.

3. Michael - ★★☆☆☆

"Burning Witch" had so much potential, but it was completely wasted. The pacing was off, and the story dragged on unnecessarily. The author tried to be clever with plot twists, but they were predictable and underwhelming. I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story, and in the end, it just wasn't worth it.

4. Emily - ★★☆☆☆

I was really excited to read "Burning Witch," but it turned out to be a major letdown. The writing was bland and lacked any sort of originality. The characters felt like caricatures, and their actions were inconsistent. The storyline itself was uninteresting and failed to captivate me. Overall, a forgettable book that I wouldn't recommend.

Historical Figures Behind Burning Witches: The Men Who Authorized the Executions