All Them Witches plays the sort of droning bluesy stoner prog that attracts at least as much attention overseas as here in the U.S. At least, that's my take.

All Them Witches Live in Brussels (New West)

This set is one of many live recordings that the band has released, but as noted by fans and others, this one has a superior sound quality. And so it gets something of an official imprimatur, while also serving to stoke interest in the band's upcoming album.

For the uninitiated, this is electric piano-heavy prog with plenty of stoner riffage and heavy blues licks. I say electric piano because that's the sound generally used when the keyboards take the fore. I have a feeling that there are plenty of other keyboard sounds rumbling around in the mix as well.

Vocals? Kinda. Mostly rambling and often more spoken than sung. Lyrics? Yes, though I wasn't paying much attention to them. Like some of the great Sabbath songs, they interfere minimally with the music. I mention them only to make clear that All Them Witches doesn't traffic in instrumentals. Entirely, anyway.

But this is a fine trip. It certainly pricked up my ears and got me focused on hearing the next studio set. And looking to see when the boys might be my way, as well.

Jon Worley