March 18th, 2020 - Wearing A Rooster Tail And Dancing With The Devil

Good afternoon evildoers!  I was sent home from work early today due to a 5.7 earthquake that gave us a nice little shake.  So... since I can't work, why not a beer and metal pairing?!  The Meista here getting heavy and a little evil with "Dance With The Devil", the brand spanking new album from Swiss power metal band Burning Witches and a tasty Rooster Tail Hazy IPA from Roosters Brewing Company!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Burning Witches
• Title: "Dance With The Devil"
• Recorded: 2019
• Release date: March 6th, 2020 (3rd studio album by Burning Witches)
• Record company: Nuclear Blast
• Production: Vo Pulver, Damir Eskic, and Schmier Eskic
• Album cover art: Damir Eskic
• Personnel: Lala Frischknecht (drums), Jeanine Grob (bass), Laura Guldemond (lead vocals), Romana Kalkuhl (guitars), and Sonia Nusselder (guitars)
• Guest musician: Mike LePond (bass on "Battle Hymn") and Ross The Boss (guitar on "Battle Hymn")
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal
• Sound: Heavy, energetic, totally rocking, and fun as hell, Burning Witches' 3rd album is a powerhouse of an album in the classic metal tradition of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Dio, and Doro!  Guldemond's soaring vocals make a great addition to the fiery, heavy-duty punch of Kalhuhl's and Nusselder's guitars, while Frischknecht and Grob lay down a thunderous rhythm!  This is everything I love about power metal!
• Major themes: Evil, darkness, the occult, magic, witchcraft, war, knowledge, power, aggression, rebellion, folklore, mythology, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "The Incantation"
2. "Lucid Nightmare"
3. "Dance With The Devil"
4. "Wings Of Steel"
5. "Six Feet Underground"
6. "Black Magic"
7. "Sea Of Lies"
8. "The Sisters Of Fate"
9. "Necronomicon"
10. "The Final Fight"
11. "Threefold Return"
12. "Battle Hymn" (Manowar cover)

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Roosters Brewing Company (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://www.roostersbrewingco.com/ 
• Brew: Rooster Tail Hazy IPA
• Style: New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 6.5% 
• Pour: The Rooster Tail pours a very hazy golden peach color with a 1-finger, firm and creamy bright white head with good sustain that leaves sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very citrusy, fruity, hoppy, and floral.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, navel orange peel, orange juice, tangerine, mango, grassy hops, wild flowers, pale malt, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Rooster Tail is citrusy, juicy, lightly malty, and herbal.  There are notes of pink grapefruit, orange peel, tangerine, mango, pineapple, crackery biscuit, and a hint of honey and toffee/caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very crisp and rather juicy with a dry and slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The Rooster Tail is a punchy, citrusy, hop-forward brew... a great beer to throw back whilst headbanging to the depth, power, and aggression of the most excellent "Dance With The Devil" by Burning Witches!  'Nuff said!

Proscht!!  Hails!!