Renowned Ash Drummer Rick McMurray unveils his solo project as Burned As Witches with a self-titled album set for release on 17th April.

Burned As Witches lands in the briefest of interludes from that day job in Ash, who've basically been working non-stop since the releases of 'Race The Night' in 2023 and the current 'Ad Astra' album. As Rick says, “if you're expecting some slices of powerpunkpop then think again” as Burned As Witches positively drips with riffing heaviosity, big-boned solos and beefy chord crunchings. This is intense, on all levels. McMurray also plays every note on every track. This is NOT like the day job !

Burned As Witches started as a way to deal with the untimely passing of Ash's long term live agent, friend and rock'n'roll hellraiser Steve Strange in 2021. Inspired by The Strange One's love of metal - this record was conceived in mourning and is all about the doom, full of chunky riffs and weighty themes. Rest very much unassured, Burned As Witches is an out and out rock album, as Rick ruminates:

"It started just with me writing some pretty dark riffs after we'd played The Roundhouse on our much postponed anniversary tour. We thought that gig would put the COVID years to bed but it turned into a wake for Strangey. By the time I started putting the music down in demo form I realised I was writing a tribute record to him.

"That was too much to take and the demos went on the hard drive where solo projects go to die. But it kept tugging away at me. After a few months and a few tours I had another listen, which brought an epiphany, in which I heard the words, 'It doesn't have to be about me.' Now I'm not saying Strangey spoke to me from beyond the veil or anything; it was probably my subconscious but whatever, I realised how proud he would have been to have been the inspiration for me. Steve. I miss you and love you, you mad bastard. We all do."

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