The Iron Maidens guitarist Courtney Cox will replace Larissa Ernst in Burning Witches due to maternity leave. An official statement reads:

"First of all, congrats to our shredder Larissa, she is expecting a baby this Summer. So all the best for this special time of your life sister!

Yes, this came very unexpected and in the middle of the new album but that is life, the show must go on! We were looking for the best solution possible until Larissa is back from her maternity leave and we wanna introduce our good friend and fantastic guitar player Courtney Cox (The Iron Maidens) as her replacement. We are super thrilled she will be playing with us at all the upcoming shows, and you can see her shred already in the next Witches video."

Larissa explains: “Dear fans, friends, metalheads, due to my motherhood I will not be regularly playing on stage for some time. I am very thankful, that my desire to have children got fulfilled, but I am missing my witch-sisters and you all already. I am glad that we found a good solution for the meantime and want to say thank you to my girls for their flexibility and love, to Courtney for playing the upcoming shows, to our amazing fans, label, supporters and to everybody involved! I am looking forward to seeing you all at future Burning Witches shows, stay metal!”

Courtney Cox adds: “Where do I even begin... I have been friends with the mighty Witches for a long time now, and to be able to lend my guitar to their mighty coven is beyond an honor for me. To Larissa, I hope I make you proud. Ready To Fight! Love CC“

The next Burning Witches single / video is being released via Napalm Records on March 30th – stay tuned!

When Burning Witches come together, the world is ablaze. With just a sip of their bewitched brew of heavy metal, the quintet whisks the listener back to the heyday of the hottest and cruelest era in rock history. Inspired by the trademarks of classic 80s heavy metal - like skyscraper guitar solos, bludgeoning, raspy vocals and screams, and fast paced drums - Burning Witches unleash a searing attack once more with their fifth studio album and Napalm Records debut, The Dark Tower, out May 5. Fasten your broom’s seatbelt for this wild and fiery ride.

Behold. The cauldron bubbles and churns, as the Burning Witches conjure up their spellbinding album, crowned by the title track "The Dark Tower". Prepare to be entranced as commanding guitar riffs seize your senses, but it's the potent vocals that truly captivate - especially the mesmerizing chorus that beckons you to join with the coven. Yet, this is but a mere glimpse into the magic that the witches have weaved. Many more freshly brewed incantations are primed and ready to be unleashed upon those brave enough to listen to The Dark Tower.

Burning Witches on their single “The Dark Tower”: "Wow that was quick, right? Album No5 is already done and we are back with the brand-new single ‘The Dark Tower’. The title track of the new record will fit perfectly into our set list with its relentless beat, the truly epic riffs and the striking but melodic vocals. The theme of Elizabeth Bathory and her infamous ‘blood countess’ reputation was a fantastic inspiration for a breathtaking video clip. We all could relate to the story and its creepy saga and knew from the beginning, it would be a new highlight in the Witches history. Last but not least, we want to thank the fans that supported us here and played the extras, in this very emotional and creepy little ride. Enjoy the clip.”

Burning Witches set the world ablaze, ushering in a new wave of heavy metal. On fifteen energetic tracks, Burning Witches ring the bells for a midnight mass in smoky-warm bars. Opening with “Unleash The Beast”, roaring, dueling guitars battle each other with top-notch, fast-paced performances while the energy of the song rises to its climax when the sharp voice of singer Laura Guldemond combines with powerful harmonies. “World On Fire” first gets the listener’s pulse pumping with the rising tension of flashy guitar work, before melodic six-string solos unite with unbeatable guitar onslaughts and sophisticated drum attacks - underlining conjuring vocal lines that call out for an evening zombie dance. Restless and intense, the fierce women of Burning Witches shred their instruments on The Dark Tower like no other, but with the soft mid-tempo track “Tomorrow”, the witches settle down to gather their strength for just a moment. Bittersweet melodies float up to the sky like weightless feathers, carrying a message of five confident women. Ready again to gradually increase the tempo, “Heart Of Ice” and “Arrow Of Time” ensnare with extravagant guitar tapping and heroic vocals by Laura, while “The Lost Souls” merges devilish staccato and legato riffs, creating an ominous atmosphere amid the bewitching screams of the five Swiss enchantresses. With their new studio album, Burning Witches not only bring back the glory days of heavy metal, but push it beyond - trapping the soul of each listener with energetic performances on The Dark Tower.

The Dark Tower will be available in the following formats:

- Wooden Box Edition: Digisleeve, Bonus CD Cardboard Sleeve, Bonus 7" Vinyl in Black & Logo Beanie
- 2 LP Gatefold Edition in White Red Blue Splatter with Logo Patch & Cover Art Slipmat (strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide)
- 2 LP Gatefold Edition in Marbled Blue Black – D-Side Logo Etching (strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide)
- 2 LP Gatefold Edition in Transparent Red – D-Side Logo Etching (strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide)
- 2 LP Gatefold Edition in Crystal Clear – D-Side Logo Etching (strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide)
- 2 LP Gatefold Edition in Picture  – D-Side Logo Etching (strictly limited to 100 copies worldwide)
- 2 LP Gatefold Edition in Black – D-Side Logo Etching
- 6 Page Digisleeve Patch & Signed Booklet (GSA exclusive, strictly limited to 300 copies)
- 6 Page Digisleeve & Shirt
- 6 Page Digisleeve
- Tape Edition - Red with white print
- Full Digital Album

Pre-order here.

The Dark Tower tracklisting:

"Rise Of Darkness"
"Unleash The Beast"
"Renegade"
"Evil Witch"
"World On Fire"
"Tomorrow"
"House Of Blood"
"The Dark Tower"
"Heart Of Ice"
"Arrow Of Time"
"Doomed To Die"
"Into The Unknown"
"The Lost Souls"