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The Wytches
The Wytches
The Wytches
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The Wytches are an English rock band formed in 2011 in Peterborough. Following their formation, the band were based in Brighton.[5] The band currently consists of singer-songwriter Kristian Bell, bassist Daniel Rumsey, keyboardist/guitarist Mark Breed and drummer Bhavin Thaker.[6]

Key Information

Drummer Gianni Honey left the band in 2019.[7]

History

[edit]

Kristian Bell and Gianni Honey had previously played together in the Crooked Canes in their hometown of Peterborough. Honey was taught by former Morrissey drummer Spike T. Smith and played in local bands.

Following the split of the Crooked Canes, the duo moved to Brighton to attend university and advertised around campus for a bassist. Daniel Rumsey was the only person to respond and joined the band. Rumsey was a singer-songwriter originally from Dorset who had fronted the "horror punk" band Fall Victim before moving to Brighton where he fronted Dan Rumsey & the Bitter End[8] and the Voyage Andromeda.[9] Initially called the Witches, the band changed the spelling to Wytches to make their band name more easily found on Google.[10] The band also originally featured second guitarist Mark Breed, with whom Bell later started a side project with called the Mark and Kristian Band.[11]

The band released their debut single "Beehive Queen" in June 2013 via Hate Hate Hate Records[12] and follow up single "Robe for Juda" in November 2013.[13] In September 2013 the band released a low key limited edition cassette Thunder Lizard Revisited.[14] The band released their debut US single "Crying Clown" (originally the b-side to the band's debut UK single) via Fat Possum Records in November 2013.[15]

Annabel Dream Reader (2014–2015)

[edit]

On 4 February 2014, the band announced they had signed with Heavenly Recordings and released "Gravedweller" as a free digital single.[16] The band also signed to Partisan Records in the US.[17]

The band released their debut album Annabel Dream Reader in August 2014.[18] The album was recorded over two days at Toe Rag Studios in Hackney, London and co-produced by Bell and former Coral guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones.[19] The album was recorded and mixed by Luke Oldfield on an 8-track Studer A80.[20] It reached number 50 in the UK Albums Chart.[21]

All Your Happy Life (2016–2019)

[edit]

In August 2016, Mark Breed re-joined the band as a permanent member.[22]

The band released an EP of self recorded songs titled Home Recordings in June 2016.[23] In September 2016 they released their second album All Your Happy Life.[24]

In 2018, the band parted ways with their UK record label Heavenly Recordings and US record label Partisan, leaving them unsigned.[25] In March 2019, the band pulled out of a planned UK support tour with Drenge plus several warm up dates, citing "unforeseen circumstances".[26]

In October 2019, the band played 3 gigs as a 3-piece with Honey replaced by session player Demelza Mather.[27]

Three Mile Ditch (2020–2022)

[edit]

In May 2020, Daniel Rumsey released an EP called The Darkest Day from a new side project called Dan Rumsey & the Dark Days.[28]

On 10 June 2020, the band released the single "Cowboy" via their own label Cable Code Records.[7] It was also confirmed at this time that Gianni Honey had officially left the band, with Bell stating "we were disheartened by the whole thing. All the work that goes into getting a band off its feet and into the public felt like something we'd have to try all over again".[29]

On 2 October 2020 the band released their third album Three Mile Ditch via Cable Code Records.[30]

In November 2021, Kristian Bell released a solo album Backfire through Cable Code Records.[31]

Our Guest Can't Be Named (2023–2024)

[edit]

Demelza Mather had toured with the band as a session drummer since Honey's departure in 2019 and was announced as an official member of the group in March 2023.[32][33]

In June 2023, the band announced they had signed to Alcopop! Records and would be performing a tour of the UK and Europe in October 2023.[34][35]

On 4 July 2023 the band released the single "Maria" and also announced their upcoming fourth album Our Guest Can't Be Named would be released in September 2023.[36] The music video for Maria was directed by band member Mark Breed.[6]

On 24 August 2023 the band released Zep Step, the second single from Our Guest Can't Be Named.[37] A limited edition 7" pressing of the single was released printed on X-ray films in the style of Ribs, a historically black market method of smuggling and distributing music banned from the public.[38] The accompanying music video was again directed by Mark Breed.[39]

On 22 September 2023 The Wytches released their fourth album Our Guest Can't Be Named. The album received largely positive reviews,[40] with DIY Magazine describing it as "A wave-ride of glorious surf-sludge".[41]

On 5 July 2024, the band released the Replica EP via Alcopop! Records. As well as Pentagram, it also features covers of tracks by Porter Wagoner, Chet Baker and John Cale.[42]

Through mid-2024, the band began performing with new drummer Bhav Thaker, who also plays with the band Mademaker.[43]

Talking Machine (2024–2025)

[edit]

On 12 August 2025, The Wytches released a new single called 'Black Ice'. Alongside the single, the band announced that an upcoming album titled Talking Machine was scheduled for release on 10 October via Alcopop! Records.[44]

According to Bell, the album’s concept draws a parallel between Thomas Edison’s “Tone Tests”—events designed to fool audiences into thinking they were listening to live musicians—and the contemporary anxiety surrounding AI and its potential to replace human jobs.[44]

Reviews for the album were largely positive, with DIY Magazine describing it as "a commendable addition to The Wytches’ canon",[45] whilst Kerrang said "fired up with attitude and a dash of gothic coldness, Talking Machine is a dark and dreamy mystery".[46]

In October/November 2025, the band embarked on a 25 date tour of the UK and EU to support the new album.[47]

Band members

[edit]

Current members

  • Kristian Bell – lead vocals, guitar (2011–present)
  • Daniel Rumsey – bass guitar, backing vocals (2011–present)
  • Mark Breed – keyboards, guitar (2011–2012, 2016–present)[48]
  • Bhavin Thaker – Drums (2024–present)

Former members

  • Gianni Honey – drums (2011–2019)
  • Demelza Mather – drums (2023–2024)

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[21]
Annabel Dream Reader 50
All Your Happy Life
  • Released: 30 September 2016
  • Label: Heavenly
  • Formats: CD, LP, download
 78
Three Mile Ditch
  • Released: 2 October 2020
  • Label: Cable Code
  • Formats: CD, LP, cassette, download
 —
Our Guest Can't Be Named
  • Released: 22 September 2023
  • Label: Alcopop!
  • Formats: CD, LP, download
 97
Talking Machine
  • Released: 10 October 2025
  • Label: Alcopop!
  • Formats: CD, LP, download

EPs

[edit]
  • The Witches (2012, self released)
  • Thunder Lizard Revisited (2013, Hate Hate Hate)
  • Gravedweller (2014, Heavenly)
  • Thunder Lizard's Reprieve (2015, Scion Audio/Visual)
  • Home Recordings (2016, self released)
  • Double World (2017, self released)
  • Replica (2024, Alcopop!)

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Album
"Robe for Juda"[49] 2013 Annabel Dream Reader
"Crying Clown"[50]
"Digsaw" / "House of Mirrors"[51]
"Gravedweller"[52] 2014
"Wire Frame Mattress"[53]
"Burn Out the Bruise"[54]
"C-Side"[55] 2016 All Your Happy Life
"Crest of Death"[56]
"Double World"[57] 2017 non-album single
"Cowboy"[58] 2020 Three Mile Ditch
"A Love You'll Never Know"[59]
"Maria"[6] 2023 Our Guest Can't Be Named
"Zep Step"[37]
"Black Ice" 2025 Talking Machine
"Is The World Too Old?"

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Wytches

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Wytches are an English rock band formed in 2011 in by vocalist and guitarist Kristian Bell and Gianni Honey, who soon relocated to and recruited Dan Rumsey to solidify the lineup. Emerging from the local scene, the band quickly gained attention for their raw, DIY ethos, self-promoting early shows and releases before signing with Heavenly Recordings in 2014. Their sound fuses garage rock's gritty energy with psychedelic surf influences, dark lyrical themes, and punk urgency. Over the years, The Wytches have evolved while maintaining their feral, live-wire intensity, releasing five studio albums that reflect personal struggles, societal unease, and analog warmth. Their debut, Annabel Dream Reader (2014), captured their early raucous style with poetic, semi-automatic lyrics recorded at ToeRag Studios, earning praise for tracks like "Gravedweller." Follow-up All Your Happy Life (2016) explored small-town ennui amid world tours, while later works like Three Mile Ditch (2020) and Our Guest Can't Be Named (2023) delved into introspective . The band's most recent album, Talking Machine (2025, via Alcopop! Records), marks a return to live recording akin to their debut, emphasizing unfiltered human imperfection and themes of technological alienation. The current lineup features Kristian Bell on lead vocals and guitar, Daniel Rumsey on bass and vocals, Mark Breed on keyboards and guitar, and Bhavin Thaker on drums, following lineup changes including the departure of original drummer Gianni Honey. Known for extensive touring across the , , and —including stints with and appearances at SXSW—The Wytches continue to embody underground rock's rebellious spirit, blending influences from and with heavier, surf-tinged riffs. Their highlights a progression from feral garage psych to more polished yet urgent explorations of emotional and cultural disquiet.

History

Formation and early releases (2011–2013)

The Wytches were formed in 2011 in , , by vocalist and Kristian Bell and Gianni Honey, who had previously played together in the band Crooked Cranes. Feeling constrained by 's insular hardcore music scene, Bell and Honey relocated to in autumn 2011 to attend university and immerse themselves in a more vibrant creative environment. Shortly after arriving in , they recruited bassist Daniel Rumsey—responding to a campus flyer advertisement—as the band's third member, marking the solidification of their initial lineup. Embracing a DIY , the band—initially named "The Witches"—self-released a limited-edition EP of the same name in 2012, featuring raw, tracks that captured their emerging lo-fi aesthetic. In 2013, they signed with London's independent label Hate Hate Hate Records, which facilitated their first official single, "Beehive Queen," released in June and characterized by its gritty, reverb-drenched guitar riffs and urgent rhythms reflective of their garage-punk influences. Later that year, they issued the cassette-only EP Thunder Lizard Revisited in September, comprising three tracks that further honed their abrasive, psych-tinged sound through home-recorded production. These early outputs exemplified the band's commitment to independent, low-budget recording, often using cassette tapes to achieve a distorted, visceral quality. Throughout 2012 and 2013, The Wytches built a following via relentless touring, booking their own and European shows in small venues and self-promoting through handmade flyers. They made notable festival appearances, including a performance at The Great Escape in in 2013, where their high-energy live set—featuring tracks like "Crying Clown"—drew attention for its chaotic intensity. However, the early years were marked by lineup instability, such as the departure of an initial bassist who declined to relocate from , and financial hardships typical of independent acts, including self-funded travel and limited resources for promotion. This period of hustle laid the groundwork for their transition to Heavenly Recordings in 2014.

Annabel Dream Reader (2014–2015)

In 2013, The Wytches signed their first major record deal with Heavenly Recordings in the UK and for the , marking a significant step from their independent releases. This partnership facilitated the production of their debut studio album, Annabel Dream Reader, which was recorded over two days at in . The sessions were co-produced by band member Kristian Bell and former guitarist , emphasizing the group's raw, analogue sound with lo-fi elements infused by horror and surreal imagery in the lyrics. Themes of darkness and unease permeate the album, drawing from motifs and nightmarish narratives, as evident in tracks like "Gravedweller" and "The Salt Surrounding," which highlight Bell's feral vocals and the band's aggressive riffing. Released on August 25, 2014, via Heavenly Recordings, Annabel Dream Reader received positive critical reception for its energetic blend of surf-punk and psych-rock influences. praised it as a "blizzard of darkness" that evocatively channels forebears, awarding it 8/10 and noting its menacing, Pixies-inspired fuzz. described it as "fun" with raw appeal but critiqued its lack of variety, giving it 3/5 stars while acknowledging the band's grungy revivalism. The album debuted at No. 50 on the and No. 15 on the UK Independent Albums Chart, establishing the band's entry into broader recognition. In the US, issued the album on September 16, 2014, further expanding their audience through targeted promotion. The release propelled The Wytches into an extensive touring schedule throughout 2014 and 2015, solidifying their live reputation for visceral performances. They opened the / Stage at both in August 2014, delivering intense sets featuring tracks like "Digsaw" and "Wide at Midnight" to enthusiastic crowds. This period included headline shows across the and , as well as North American dates supporting their label push, with the band's chaotic energy translating the album's horror-tinged to the stage. To enhance their live sound, Mark Breed joined as a fourth member on guitar and keyboards in late 2014, adding depth to their performances without altering the core trio dynamic recorded on the album.

All Your Happy Life (2016–2019)

The Wytches released their second studio album, All Your Happy Life, on September 30, 2016, through Heavenly Recordings. The record was produced by Jim Sclavunos, known for his work with and the Bad Seeds, and marked a sonic evolution from the band's debut with its blend of polished and psychedelic elements. Lyrically, the album explores themes of existential dread, , and the burdens of everyday , often conveyed through haunting imagery and a sense of living under a persistent black cloud. Standout singles from the album included "C-Side," released as the lead track in August 2016, along with "Comedown Clothes" and "," which highlighted the band's matured sound of heavy and baroque-infused rock. Critics praised the album for its refined production and confident delivery, noting how it refined the raw energy of their earlier work into a more cohesive, scathing listen. All Your Happy Life peaked at No. 23 on the UK Independent Albums Chart. In August 2016, prior to the album's release, and Mark Breed officially joined the band as a full-time member, expanding The Wytches from a trio to a and enriching their live and recorded dynamics. This lineup shift contributed to the album's layered textures and supported the band's growing international presence. Following the album's launch, The Wytches embarked on intensive global touring from 2016 to 2018, including headline tours across the and appearances at major European festivals. The momentum from their 2015 EP Thunder Lizard's Reprieve, a free download featuring raw tracks like "Gettin' Lucky," helped propel this period of expansion and solidified their reputation as a dynamic live act. By 2019, internal tumult within the band culminated in the departure of founding Gianni Honey, marking the end of this stable quartet era.

Three Mile Ditch (2020–2022)

Following the departure of original Gianni Honey in 2019, The Wytches recruited Demelza Mather as a session in 2020 to support live performances, marking a transitional phase for the band as they adapted to a new dynamic. This lineup shift occurred amid personal and professional turmoil, prompting the remaining core members—Kristian Bell on vocals and guitar, Daniel Rumsey on bass, and Mark Breed on guitar and keys—to record their third album as a trio, with each contributing on drums and additional instruments. The self-released Three Mile Ditch arrived on November 13, 2020, via their independent label Cable Code Records, directly into the height of , which underscored the band's resilience in prioritizing creative output over traditional promotion. The album explores themes of emotional isolation, fragility, and suburban unease, drawing from personal turmoil with cathartic laments that blend raw anger and vulnerability, often evoking nocturnal introspection and a sense of renewal amid uncertainty. Tracks like the "Cowboy," which heralded their return after four years, and the title track "Three Mile Ditch" (accompanied by an official video) exemplify this, fusing swampy psych-rock riffs with melodic introspection influenced by artists like and Big Star's . Recorded in autumn 2019 at Tile House Studios in and mixed by Luke Oldfield, the sessions captured a through multi-instrumental experimentation and fuzzy, unpolished production that amplified the record's gritty energy, even as constraints later forced remote finalization and distribution adjustments. Critics praised this approach for its stylistic boldness, noting how the trio's setup yielded a raw, genre-blending sound—merging surf-psych, , and —while highlighting the band's ability to channel adversity into infectious hooks and emotional depth. Touring remained severely limited from 2021 to 2022 due to ongoing restrictions, with the band forgoing extensive roadwork in favor of select shows and virtual engagements to promote the album, reflecting a strategic pivot toward independent sustainability. This period emphasized Mather's integration into live sets, where her drumming added a fresh, propulsive edge to the material, allowing the group to experiment with heavier, more dynamic arrangements despite the era's challenges. Reception was generally favorable, with reviewers commending the album's reclamation of the band's early raw confidence—earning scores like 78/100 from Beats Per Minute for its "proof lightning strikes twice" and 8.5/10 from for its "mesmeric dark riffs" and purposeful resilience—while noting the DIY production's role in preserving an authentic, uncompromised vibe.

Our Guest Can't Be Named (2023)

In July 2023, The Wytches signed with indie label Alcopop! Records, marking a new chapter following their independent releases and signaling renewed creative momentum for the band. Their fourth studio album, Our Guest Can't Be Named, was released on September 22, 2023, through the label, available on vinyl, , and digital formats. The album explores themes of loss of identity and self-exploration, inspired by the disorienting effects of the , set against a sonic backdrop of surf-rock riffs infused with and gothic undertones. Self-produced by the band at Tilehouse Studio in , it emphasizes a raw, visceral sound that captures their post-pandemic introspection. The lead single "Maria," re-recorded from an earlier demo with producer in a church, previewed the album's direction with its poetic lyrics on personal disconnection. Critics praised the record for its seamless blend of psychedelic elements, describing it as a "wave-ride of glorious surf-sludge" that revitalized the band's signature fuzz-laden energy. Our Guest Can't Be Named debuted at number 97 on the , reflecting its niche appeal within the scene. To support the release, The Wytches resumed full-scale touring in late 2023 after pandemic-related hiatuses, embarking on a run of and European dates in October and November. The itinerary included headline shows in , , , and , extending to France with performances in , , , , and , allowing the band to reconnect with fans through live renditions of the new material. This post-release activity underscored the album's role in the band's revival, bolstering their partnership with ! for ongoing projects.

Talking Machine (2025–present)

In early 2024, The welcomed drummer Bhavin Thaker into the lineup, replacing previous member Demelza Mather and infusing the band with fresh energy that shaped their subsequent work. Thaker's integration occurred less than a year before recording sessions, fostering immediate chemistry that contributed to a revitalized live dynamic. The band's fifth studio album, Talking Machine, was released on October 10, 2025, through Alcopop! Records, marking a continuation of their partnership with the label established on prior releases. Recorded live to tape in a raw, analogue style reminiscent of their 2014 debut Annabel Dream Reader, the album emphasizes imperfections and spontaneity over polished production, capturing a lo-fi garage-psych sound with hazy garage rock edges and 1960s influences. Key tracks such as "Black Ice" and "Coffin Nails" exemplify this approach, blending dark surf riffs and ragged energy to evoke a confident return to the band's roots, as noted in reviews praising its ominous yet swanky rock'n'roll sheen. Thematically, Talking Machine grapples with technology's alienating effects, particularly the rise of AI and its potential to displace human creativity in the arts; vocalist Kristian Bell has reflected on this as a source of paranoia, drawing parallels to historical fears like those surrounding Thomas Edison's "talking machine" phonograph and stating, "I don’t know if I’m being ignorant, but I can’t see any good in it." Tracks like "Factory" underscore mechanical repetition and existential gloom, while the title track and singles "Black Ice" and "Is The World Too Old?"—the latter released as the third single on October 7, 2025—explore authenticity versus artificiality amid rapid technological shifts. Supporting the album's launch, The Wytches embarked on a 2025 touring schedule featuring headline shows across the and , including performances at in on November 5, Downstairs at The Dome in on November 6, Point Éphémère in on November 11, and Bumann & Sohn in on November 12. These outings highlighted the band's renewed urgency, with Bell noting the recording process felt "very reminiscent of beginning again," signaling a forward momentum influenced by contemporary tech anxieties.

Musical style

Characteristics

The Wytches' music is primarily defined by garage psych and , blending fuzzy, distorted guitar riffs with reverb-heavy vocals and driving, rhythms that create a cacophonous yet infectious energy. Their core sound draws on surf rock's twangy urgency but infuses it with darker, doom-laden elements, resulting in a "surf doom" style marked by tar-like riffs, pounding bass lines, and crashing drums that evoke a murky, possessed intensity. From their raw, lo-fi debut era, the band's production emphasized gritty analog recordings at studios like Toe Rag, prioritizing a trashy, loose garage-rock revival feel with minimal digital intervention. Subsequent works evolved toward a more polished yet still analog-focused sound, incorporating expansive layering and ethereal modulations while retaining sparse, tight drumming and brooding slushiness in the guitars. In 2016, the addition of keyboardist Mark Breed transformed them into a , introducing keyboard layers that added progressive, Middle Eastern-fused textures and dreamlike depth to their psychedelic palette. Thematically, their lyrics maintain a consistent surreal and horror-inflected tone, exploring alienation through motifs of lost identity and fragility, alongside existential searches amid dissolution and impending malevolence. This is conveyed via wracked, modulated vocals that heighten the sense of unease, often painting visions of ghoulish and suburban dread without veering into overt gore. Their 2025 album Talking Machine returns to this raw, unfiltered garage psych style with live-to-tape analog recordings emphasizing human imperfection.

Influences

The Wytches' sound draws heavily from 1960s and , with frontman Kristian Bell citing the raw energy of tracks like The Creation's "How Does It Feel To Feel" (1967) as a key inspiration for their raucous yet melodic style on later works such as Talking Machine (2025). Bell has also highlighted 1950s surf influences, including Kip Tyler's "She’s My Witch," which directly informed the band's name and their reverb-drenched guitar tones. Early garage and psychedelic elements trace back to Bell's exposure to ' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) via family, blending with Nuggets-era sloppiness to shape their debut recordings. Post-punk and noise-driven acts further molded their aggressive edge, contributing to the band's distorted, heavy guitar approach on Annabel Dream Reader (2014). Black Sabbath's doom-laden riffs provided an early foundation, evolving into the "surf-doom" hybrid Bell described, while contemporaries like and from the garage revival reinforced their commitment to unpolished live energy. The band's roots in the DIY and hardcore scenes of and profoundly impacted their ethos and output, starting with formative gigs in enclosed local venues before relocating south for university. In , they emerged from a environment, self-promoting shows and releasing early EPs with bands like Kick Down, which instilled a DIY spirit of independence and raw performance. 's vibrant, multicultural music scene—contrasting 's limitations—fostered their growth, enabling tours with acts like and while encouraging a rejection of rigid genre labels like in favor of personal experimentation. This grassroots foundation persisted, as seen in their continued self-arranged tours and live-to-tape recordings that prioritize authenticity over polish. Over time, influences evolved toward broader, introspective sources, with songwriting drawing from classic figures like and for lyrical depth, alongside Nick Cave's narrative style, emphasizing poetic readability independent of music.

Band members

Current members

The current lineup of The Wytches features four members who contribute to the band's evolving sound across live performances and studio recordings. Kristian Bell performs lead vocals and guitar, having co-founded the band in 2011 and remaining its frontman and primary songwriter since then. Daniel Rumsey handles and backing vocals, a role he has held continuously since the band's formation in 2011, providing essential rhythmic support in their recordings and tours. Mark Breed plays keyboards and guitar, joining as a full-time member in 2016 to enhance the band's textural and multi-instrumental elements in both live settings and albums like Talking Machine. Bhavin Thaker serves on drums since 2024, delivering an energetic percussion style that drives recent tours and the 2025 album Talking Machine.

Former members

Gianni Honey served as the drummer for The Wytches from the band's formation in 2011 until 2019, forming part of the original lineup alongside vocalist and guitarist Kristian Bell. As an founding member, Honey played a key role in establishing the band's early and psychedelic influences, contributing to their debut album Annabel Dream Reader and helping define their raw, energetic sound during the initial years. His departure in 2019 marked a significant lineup change, leading the band to continue initially as a trio before recruiting a replacement. Following Honey's exit, Demelza Mather joined The Wytches as a session in 2019, bridging the transition period and providing percussion for their third studio album Three Mile Ditch, which was released in 2020. Mather, previously of the band , brought a fresh dynamic to the group's rhythm section during this era, supporting their evolution toward a more experimental style on the record. She was announced as a full member in March 2023 and remained with the band through 2023 before being replaced by Bhavin Thaker in 2024.

Discography

Studio albums

The Wytches' debut studio album, Annabel Dream Reader, was released on 25 August 2014 through Heavenly Recordings in the and Partisan Records in the United States. The record peaked at number 50 on the and number 15 on the UK Independent Albums Chart. The band's second album, All Your Happy Life, followed on 30 September 2016 via Heavenly Recordings. It reached number 23 on the Independent Albums Chart. Three Mile Ditch, the third studio album, was self-released by the band through their own Cable Code Records imprint on 13 November 2020. The album entered the Independent Albums Chart at number 38. On 22 September 2023, The Wytches issued their fourth album, Our Guest Can't Be Named, on ! Records. It debuted at number 32 on the Independent Albums Chart. The group's fifth studio album, Talking Machine, came out on 10 October 2025 via ! Records and was recorded live to analog tape.

Extended plays

The Wytches released several extended plays in their early years, which played a crucial role in establishing their raw and psychedelic sound while building a following through limited physical formats and digital availability. These EPs, primarily issued between 2012 and 2015, captured the band's evolving songwriting and lo-fi production aesthetics, bridging their initial DIY to more structured releases under established labels. They often featured re-recorded or revisited tracks from prior singles, allowing the group to refine their chaotic, reverb-heavy style without overlapping into full-length album territory. The band's debut EP, The Witches, was self-released on May 8, 2012, as a limited-edition with hand-drawn artwork, launched at Brighton's Hope & Ruin venue. This three-track release, including the track "Beehive Queen," marked their transition from the short-lived name The Witches and introduced their punk-infused elements to local audiences. Limited to a small run, it exemplified their independent start before signing with labels. In 2013, Thunder Lizard Revisited arrived on September 25 via Hate Hate Hate Records as a limited cassette edition of 150 copies, revisiting and expanding on earlier material with seven tracks that delved deeper into and doom influences. The EP's lo-fi cassette format appealed to underground collectors and helped solidify their reputation in London's DIY scene. It was later made available digitally, broadening access during early tours. Gravedweller, released on February 4, 2014, by Heavenly Recordings, consisted of three tracks—"Gravedweller," "Carnival Law," and "Wide at Midnight"—offered initially as a free digital download on the band's website, with a cassette version following. This EP highlighted their growing production polish under Heavenly, previewing themes of surreal horror that would appear in their debut , and garnered attention through live performances at festivals like Field Day. The final early EP, Thunder Lizard's Reprieve, emerged on August 19, 2015, co-released by Scion Audio/Visual and Heavenly Recordings as a four-track effort available for free download, featuring songs like "Wastey Bois" and "Gettin' Lucky." Issued also on 12-inch vinyl, it served as a transitional release post-debut , experimenting with heavier riffs and maintaining the band's commitment to accessible distribution. In July 2024, the band released , a covers EP via ! Records, featuring four tracks including covers of Pentagram's "" and Black Sabbath's "Warning," available digitally and as a limited cassette edition.

Singles

The Wytches have released several singles throughout their career, often as double A-sides or promotional tracks tied to albums, emphasizing their garage sound with limited edition vinyl formats. Early releases on small labels helped build their underground following, while later singles on major indies like Heavenly and ! served as album previews. Their debut single "Beehive Queen" was issued in 2013 on Hate Hate Hate Records as a limited edition 7" vinyl double A-side with "Crying Clown," limited to 300 copies and produced by Liam Watson at . Later that year, "Robe for Juda" appeared as another 7" single, backed by "Wide at Midnight," available via and digital formats, showcasing their raw, surf-influenced doom rock. In 2023, "Big Devil" was released as a promotional track ahead of Our Guest Can't Be Named on ! Records, featuring heavy riffs and cryptic artwork. Recent output includes "Black Ice" in 2025, a lead single from Talking Machine on ! Records, available in digital and vinyl formats with a video directed by the band. The standalone "Is The World Too Old," also 2025 on !, was issued as a 7" with B-sides including remixes, questioning existential themes in their evolving style.

References

  1. https://www.theklabristol.co.uk/gigs/the-wytches/
  2. https://partisanrecords.com/artists/the_wytches
  3. https://thedailymusicreport.com/reviews/the-wytches-talking-machine-10102025/
  4. https://heavenlyrecordings.com/artist/the-wytches/
  5. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/artist/7487-the-wytches/
  6. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/The-Wytches/59972/
  7. https://dinealonerecords.com/artists/the-wytches/
  8. https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/the-wytches-this-is-just-the-sound-of-our-entrance-into-the-music-world
  9. https://www.discogs.com/release/8748386-The-Witches-The-Witches
  10. https://www.discogs.com/release/4949274-The-Wytches-Thunder-Lizard-Revisited
  11. https://underground-england.com/artist-the-wytches/
  12. https://greatescapefestival.com/previous-line-ups/
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWZATRI1Xsw
  14. https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-wytches-6-1241614
  15. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/19572-the-wytches-annabel-dream-reader/
  16. https://heavenlyrecordings.com/release/hvnlp105-annabel-dream-reader/
  17. https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-the-wytches-15569-303840
  18. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/21/the-wytches-annabel-dream-reader-album-review
  19. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/30139/wytches/
  20. https://store.partisanrecords.com/release/141638-the-wytches-annabel-dream-reader
  21. https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-wytches-5-1240628
  22. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-wytches/2014/little-johns-farm-reading-england-63ce0263.html
  23. https://www.amazon.com/All-Your-Happy-Life-Wytches/dp/B01H804CVW
  24. https://diymag.com/review/album/the-wytches-all-your-happy-life-album-review
  25. https://audioaddictmag.wordpress.com/2016/09/30/review-the-wytches-all-your-happy-life/
  26. https://soundcloud.com/heavenlyrecordings/sets/the-wytches-c-side
  27. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20161007/131/
  28. https://brightonsfinest.com/music/spotlight/the-wytches-interview-2016/2016/
  29. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/the-wytches
  30. https://consequence.net/2015/08/stream-the-wytches-new-ep-thunder-lizards-reprieve/
  31. https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/interpreter/the-wytches/1398963
  32. https://www.liveone.com/artist/the-wytches/5377894
  33. https://beatsperminute.com/album-review-the-wytches-three-mile-ditch/
  34. https://the-wytches.bandcamp.com/album/three-mile-ditch
  35. https://www.amazon.com/Three-Mile-Ditch-Wytches/dp/B08DPPF6DF
  36. https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/the-wytches-three-mile-ditch-album-review
  37. https://diymag.com/review/album/the-wytches-three-mile-ditch-album-review
  38. https://diymag.com/news/the-wytches-sign-alcopop-records-and-announce-new-album-our-guest-cant-be-named
  39. https://echoesanddust.com/2023/09/the-wytches-our-guest-cant-be-named/
  40. https://distortedsoundmag.com/album-review-our-guest-cant-be-named-the-wytches/
  41. https://www.discogs.com/release/28381846-The-Wytches-Our-Guest-Cant-Be-Named
  42. https://diymag.com/review/album/the-wytches-our-guest-cant-be-named
  43. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/wytches-our-guest-cant-be-named/
  44. https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/the-wytches
  45. https://originalrock.net/2023/07/04/the-wytches-sign-to-alcopop-records-for-new-chapter/amp/
  46. https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-wytches-on-their-new-album-talking-machine/
  47. https://the-wytches.bandcamp.com/album/talking-machine
  48. https://readdork.com/albums/the-wytches-talking-machine/
  49. https://www.kerrang.com/album-review-the-wytches-talking-machine
  50. https://open.spotify.com/track/2GfmuTc6uV1V75ir9vtDnt
  51. https://www.songkick.com/artists/6176504-wytches
  52. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/may/01/the-wytches
  53. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/16639-the-wytches-wire-frame-mattress/
  54. https://magnetmagazine.com/2016/11/09/the-wytches-fly-by-night/
  55. https://www.songwritingmagazine.co.uk/interviews/interview-the-wytches
  56. https://louderthanwar.com/the-wytches-talking-machine-album-review/
  57. https://readdork.com/news/wytches-recruited-new-member/
  58. https://www.buzzmag.co.uk/the-wytches-album-review-gothic-psychedelia/
  59. https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/interviews/black-celebration-the-wytches-kristian-bell-interviewed
  60. https://www.nadamucho.com/in-awe-of-everything-q-a-with-the-wytches/
  61. https://diymag.com/interview/the-wytches-interview-i-hated-being-in-the-audience-i-just-wanted-to-be-onstage
  62. https://northernexposuremagazine.co.uk/kristian-bell-frontman-of-the-wytches-a-real-nostalgia-thing/
  63. https://www.discogs.com/release/35380834-The-Wytches-Talking-Machine-
  64. https://www.bringthenoiseuk.com/202511/reviews/live-reviews/live-review-the-wytches-melanie-baker-nice-n-sleazy-glasgow-29-10-2025
  65. https://themusic.com.au/artist/CPkYGR4fHB0/the-wytches
  66. https://www.gigwise.com/features/3391875/interview--the-wytches-on-the-making-of-three-mile-ditch/
  67. https://www.discogs.com/release/5996071-The-Wytches-Annabel-Dream-Reader
  68. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/wytches-annabel-dream-reader/
  69. https://www.discogs.com/master/1066087-The-Wytches-All-Your-Happy-Life
  70. https://www.discogs.com/release/16341009-The-Wytches-Three-Mile-Ditch
  71. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20201204/131/
  72. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20230929/131/
  73. https://www.discogs.com/release/32550696-The-Wytches-Replica
  74. https://www.discogs.com/master/719887-The-Wytches-Beehive-Queen-Crying-Clown
  75. https://the-wytchesbw.bandcamp.com/album/robe-for-juda
  76. https://the-wytches.bandcamp.com/album/our-guest-cant-be-named
  77. https://music.apple.com/gb/album/is-the-world-too-old-single/1834906343
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