The Punk Site 2023 Top 40: #8 Rites Of Hadda – Occult Sex Worker

Lurking at number 8 in The Punk Site’s 2023 Top 40 are Rites Of Hadda with their third album, Occult Sex Worker, that was released in October via Grow Your Own Records.  Anyone who has caught this truly unique outfit live, or encountered their previous albums, 2018’s Witchpunk and 2020’s The Horned God, will be aware that the sax, drag and rock ’n roll that they describe as “anarcho-pagan-gothic-psychedelic-queer-Witchpunk” is never going to fit into any convenient pigeonhole, it’s more likely that they are carving their own, almost certainly in exactly the wrong place, possibly in a parallell dimension. This is a band that does not make concessions on any level, they are wrong on every level, but as we all know, this is an approach that often produces something that is so very right!

“It has to be said that Rites Of Hadda are not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, and might make you question what exactly is in the tea! They are making music they want to make, there are no fucks given and if you’re along for the ride they’ll always be glad to have you along. To truly make sense of this utterly unique outfit their live spectacle should be experienced, but this is not always possible and for those poor souls Occult Sex Worker provides a taste of their unique brew. If you are someone who seeks those bands who dwell in their own unique space in the punk scene, then introduce yourself to Rites Of Hadda’s own unique world, bring your own mind altering substances and enjoy the ride.” (Phinky)