Burning Witches in Cincinnati

About Burning Witches

Burning Witches is a Swiss heavy metal band that formed in 2014, built on the kind of straightforward metal philosophy that doesn't require much explanation: fast riffs, loud and clear production, and a vocalist who can actually hit her notes. They've carved out a solid lane in modern heavy metal without pretending to be something they're not. Their earlier work established them as competent practitioners of classic heavy metal aesthetics—think late-80s production clarity applied to genuine songwriting. Songs like "Hexenhammer" and "Arson" showcase the band's ability to write hooks that stick around after the song ends, which is rarer in heavy metal than it should be. They're the kind of band that appeals to people who actually like metal rather than the idea of metal, with a focused approach that respects the listener's time.

Their shows are straightforward metal gigs—tight, competent, and heavy. Crowds stay engaged because the band isn't phoning it in. No surprise flourishes or stage production theater, just solid execution that makes the material land harder in a room full of people.

Known for Hexenhammer, Arson, The Crucible, Conjuration, Torched

Burning Witches + Cincinnati

Burning Witches rolled through Cincinnati in March 2024 at MegaCorp Pavilion with the kind of set that rewards people who actually know the catalog. They opened with "Unleash the Beast" and spent the next hour methodically working through their arsenal—"Hexenhammer" hit different live, all grinding riffs and precision, while "Lucid Nightmare" showed they can build genuine dread without resorting to theatre. The closer "Holy Diver" was a cover that somehow fit the grimy, no-nonsense approach they brought to the whole night. Six songs, no filler. Cincinnati's metal crowd seemed to appreciate a band that trusts their material instead of stretching things out.

Burning Witches in Cincinnati News

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Live Music in Cincinnati

Cincinnati's metal scene has always been pragmatic, favoring substance over spectacle. The city's history with extreme metal runs deep—it's a place where bands like Burning Witches, who deal in precision and melodic darkness without gimmickry, find a natural home. Local venues have cultivated audiences with real taste, people who show up for the riffs and the songwriting rather than the production value. That ethos matches what Burning Witches does: Swiss metal that's more interested in being good than being big.

Cincinnati road trip to see Burning Witches?

Stay in Hyde Park, Cincinnati's most elegant neighborhood, with tree-lined streets and restored Victorian homes. Dinner at The Eagle—a fine dining spot that takes Southern cooking seriously—pairs well with Stapleton's sensibility. Spend your afternoon at the Cincinnati Art Museum or walking the grounds at Spring Grove Cemetery, one of America's most beautiful cemeteries. Both offer quiet reflection before heading to the show. If you have time, catch the view from Skyline Chili's main location; the city panorama is worth the detour, even if the food is divisive.