Salem, Massachusetts, 1692. Rebecca Nurse, Sarah Good, and 200 others declared witches and imprisoned. 19 were hung and 1 pressed to death before an end was finally put to it and the others were released.

BROUHA had nothing to do with any of this. It was some 300 years too late. But the band, formed in Belfast, North Carolina in May 2001, has the ability to make witch hunts seem much closer to home, somehow. Heavy with a gothic edge, BROUHA rolls. And, occasionally, drips. Like a melting icicle in the middle of December.

Not to say it is a disturbing band, per se, but not to say it isn't, either. Veteran musicians from other local and regional bands, the members of BROUHA looked down upon what they had created, and decided, once and for all, that it was good. And that it wouldn't particularly matter if others agreed. But that it would be a nice touch.