Ash’s Rick McMurray Releases Debut Album From Solo Project “Burned As Witches”

Ash drummer Rick McMurray has released his debut solo album as Burned By Witches through streaming platforms, with vinyl set to follow on the 8th May. The album lands in the briefest of interludes from the day job in Ash, who have basically been working non-stop since the release of Race The Night in 2023 through to the current Ad Astra album. Burned As Witches began as a way of dealing with the untimely passing of Ash’s long term live agent, friend and rock n roll hell-raiser Steve Strange in 2021. Inspired by the Strange One’s love of metal, the record was conceived in mourning, full of chunky riffs, weighty themes and all about the doom. As McMurray says, “If you’re expecting slices of power-punk-pop, then think again,” because 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!

“It started with me just 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 that Strangey spoke to me from beyond the veil or anything – it was probably my subconscious – but, whatever, I realised how proud he would be to have been the inspiration for me. Steve, I miss you and love you, you mad bastard. We all do.” (Rick McMurray)

You can stream Burned As Witches and pre-order vinyl here and The Punk Site‘s review of Burned As Witches can be read here.