Rick McMurray, best known as the powerhouse drummer for Northern Irish rock trio Ash, has unveiled his new solo project Burned As Witches alongside the release of its debut single, Hold Your Nerve.
Ash @ Wembley Arena
The track offers the first glimpse of the forthcoming self-titled album Burned As Witches, set for release on 17th April across digital platforms and a limited black vinyl pressing. A sharp departure from McMurray’s work with Ash, the project leans heavily into riff-driven rock and doom-tinged atmospheres, with the drummer taking on every instrument across the record.
Hold Your Nerve emerged late in the writing process and, according to McMurray, came together almost subconsciously. The song explores themes of innocence and moral awareness in a corrupt world, asking whether it’s better to confront uncomfortable truths or remain blissfully unaware of them. Musically, he describes the track as a hybrid of classic heavy rock influences, blending the swagger of Led Zeppelin with the weighty doom of Black Sabbath, while still carrying flashes of glam-tinged drama.
Ash @ Ipswich Regent Theatre
While Ash have remained relentlessly active in recent years following the release of albums such as Race The Night (2023) and last year’s Ad Astra, Burned As Witches emerged during a brief pause between the band’s touring commitments. McMurray used the project as an outlet for heavier material that diverges sharply from Ash’s signature power-pop sound.
The origins of the record are deeply personal. The project initially began as a creative response to the death of longtime Ash associate Steve Strange in 2021. A well-known figure in the rock touring world and a passionate fan of heavy music, Strange’s influence inspired McMurray to channel grief into a darker, heavier sonic direction.
What began as a collection of sombre riffs eventually evolved into a full album after McMurray revisited early demos and realised the music could become something larger than its initial inspiration. The result is a tribute of sorts — not just to Strange, but to the spirit of loud, unapologetic rock.
Rick McMurray
To celebrate the album’s arrival, Burned As Witches will perform a short run of intimate UK pre-release shows in April, giving fans the first chance to hear the project’s thunderous riffs live.
UK Live Dates
APRIL
14th – Sunderland, Pop Recs
15th – London, Black Heart
16th – Manchester, Night & Day Cafe
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