November 24th, 2018 - Decadently Burning The Witches

Guten Tag!  The Meista here today pairing "Burning The Witches", the debut album by German metal band Warlock and a Decadent Imperial IPA from Ska Brewing!

Album Info:

• Artist: Warlock
• Title: "Burning The Witches"
• Recorded: November 1983 at Studio Klangwerkstatt in Düsseldorf, Germany
• Release date: March 1984 (1st album by Warlock)
• Record company: Vertigo Records
• Production: Axel Thubeauville
• Album cover art: Nico Chiriatti and Blueprint 
• Personnel: Michael Eurich (drums), Rudy Graf (guitars), Doro Pesch (vocals), Frank Rittel (bass), and Peter Szigeti (guitars)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal, speed metal, hard rock
• Sound: Raw, guitar-driven, fast, furious, and fun as hell, the sound on "Burning Witches" is heavily steeped in the NWOBHM tradition!  This is pure heavy metal!  Although fairly simple and straightforward, the guitars are a sonic punch, the rhythm section is a stampeding juggernaut, and Doro's vocals soar and are reminiscent of Geddy Lee's in very early Rush!  
• Major themes: Evil, death, destruction, heavy metal, rebellion, loss, , etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Sign Of Satan"
2. "After The Bomb"
3. "Dark Fade"
4. "Homicide Rocker"
5. "Without You"
6. "Metal Racer"
7. "Burning The Witches"
8. "Hateful Guy"
9. "Holding Me"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Ska Brewing (Durango, Colorado)
• Website: www.skabrewing.com  
• Brew: Decadent Imperial I.P.A.
• Style: Imperial India Pale Ale (IPA) / Double IPA
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 10.0%
• IBUs: 80
• Pour: The Decadent Imperial I.P.A. pours a hazy golden amber with frothy, off-white, 1.5 finger head that has good retention and displays sustained, layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by a blend of citrus, floral dankness, sweet malt, and hearty grain.  There are aromas of pine resin, grapefruit juice, tangerine, sweet caramel, multi-grain bread, and nuts.
• Taste: Following the nose, the taste of the Decadent Imperial I.P.A. is bitter, sweet, citrusy, and malty.  There are notes of grapefruit rind, tangerine peel, lemon zest, pine, sweet caramel and burnt toffee, hearty bread, bitter herbs, and a touch of black pepper and a slight booziness.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is sharp, bitter, sticky, and oily with a dry, bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy, bitter, aggressive, yet sweet flavors of Ska Brewing's bold Decadent Imperial I.P.A. is great for some head-banging, in-your-face Warlock style heavy metal!!  'Nuff said!

Prost!!  Hails!!