Australian stoner/groove rockers Smoke Witch stream their new EP »The Return Of The Witch«; out now via Desert Highways!
Geelong, Australia based stoner/groove rockers Smoke Witch are back with their new EP, »The Return Of The Witch«, which was just released on June 6th, 2026 via Desert Highways.
Says the band: “Ran Maclurkin returns adding his amazing vocal talent on some previous tunes including his re-imagining “Deathmix” on »Pagan Doll«. Big thanks to the Mix Master himself Joel Colliver.”
Tracklist:
01. My Acid Queen
02. By The Hammer Of Thor
03. The Valley Of The Crows
04. Burn The River
05. Pagan Doll
06. Return Of The Witch
07. Pagan Ritual Deathmix
Smoke Witch are an ever-evolving groove-doom force from Geelong, Australia – a grease-soaked, galactic riff machine driven by sheer low-end power and hypnotic groove. Built to deliver crushing heaviness with purpose, the band exists to rain thick, relentless riffs on audiences far and wide.
Originally forged as a two-piece, Smoke Witch have expanded into a formidable four-piece, with Sammy Wright and Karl Stehn joined by Paul Duvall on bass, and most recently, Ran Maclurkin on vocals. The result is a fully realised doom behemoth – heavier, tighter, and more commanding than ever before.
The power of this quad-rock machine is undeniable. Smoke Witch have become a riff-crushing juggernaut whose groove would feel right at home in the hallowed halls of rock and doom legend.
Photo by Naomi Dans // Sunbury Blowout
Australian audiences will already be well acquainted with the band’s reputation, having shared stages with icons and heavyweights such as John Garcia (US), Brant Bjork (US), Dozer (Sweden), Dwarves (US), Nashville Pussy (US), Greenleaf (Sweden), Beastwars (NZ), Sasquatch (US), 1000mods (Greece), Dr Colossus, and many more.
True psychedelic barbarian voyagers, Smoke Witch boast a prolific back catalogue born from countless studio journeys. These sessions have often featured guest appearances from fellow intergalactic travellers, including Fredrik Nordin and Tommi Holappa (Dozer), Isaiah Mitchell (Earthless), Matty Young (King Parrot), Jono Colliver (Dr Colossus), Craig Westwood (Christbait) and others.
Never content to rest on past conquests, Smoke Witch now stand fully armed and battle-ready. With the addition of vocalist Ran Maclurkin (Zombie Motors Wrecking Yard, Discordia), the band are locked, loaded, and primed for destruction – with plenty still left in the chamber.
Smoke Witch have set the controls for the heart of the sun – and they’re burning brighter than ever.
Order »The Return Of The Witch« on CD / LP here: smokewitch1.bandcamp.com
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well