Swiss heavy metal powerhouse BURNING WITCHES have announced the departure of longtime vocalist LAURA GULDEMOND after seven years together! The Dutch singer, who helped shape four studio albums and performed with the band on stages around the world, has decided to pursue a different creative direction. However, the WITCHES have reassured fans that all upcoming concerts will go ahead, with FIREBORN frontwoman JENNIFER GRUBER temporarily taking over vocal duties while the search for a permanent replacement begins!
It’s the end of an important chapter for one of Europe’s most exciting traditional heavy metal bands. 🤘🖤🔥
After seven years of powerful vocals, thunderous riffs, international tours and unforgettable festival appearances, Laura Guldemond has officially left BURNING WITCHES.
The announcement came on Friday 23 October 2026, when the band released an emotional statement confirming that the singer had decided to move on.
For fans who have followed BURNING WITCHES since Guldemond joined in 2019, the news will undoubtedly come as a disappointment.
Her distinctive vocal delivery helped establish the group’s sound across four albums, including their most recent release, Inquisition.
But while the announcement marks a significant change, there is also some encouraging news.
BURNING WITCHES aren’t cancelling their upcoming concerts, and the band have already begun searching for their next permanent vocalist.
The flames are still burning!
🖤 BURNING WITCHES Confirm LAURA GULDEMOND’s Departure
BURNING WITCHES broke the news through their official social media channels.
In an emotional message to supporters, the band explained that Guldemond had made the decision to leave following discussions about their future.
The musicians confirmed that they had attempted to find a way forward together but ultimately accepted that their musical journey was coming to an end.
The statement opened by acknowledging the sadness surrounding her departure before thanking the singer for her contribution.
“Even the most magical journeys sometimes come to an end.”
The band expressed gratitude for the albums, performances and memories created during their seven years together.
They also emphasised that Guldemond’s work would remain an important part of BURNING WITCHES history.
But the announcement wasn’t simply about saying goodbye.
The remaining musicians made it clear that they intend to continue.
“The fire is still burning — and the WITCHES will keep flying high!”
For fans concerned about the band’s future, that message provides some welcome reassurance.
BURNING WITCHES are continuing, and their next chapter is already taking shape.
🎤 LAURA GULDEMOND Breaks Her Silence – “There Are No Hard Feelings”
Following the band’s announcement, Guldemond released her own statement explaining her decision.
The singer reflected on the extraordinary experiences she had enjoyed since joining BURNING WITCHES in 2019.
She expressed pride in the four albums they recorded together and thanked fans for their support.
However, she also acknowledged that the musicians’ creative ambitions no longer completely aligned.
Importantly, she stressed:
“There are no hard feelings.”
Rather than suggesting that the departure resulted from a dramatic confrontation, Guldemond described it as a personal decision to pursue a new musical direction.
She also asked fans to respect the circumstances surrounding the separation.
And for anyone worried that she might be leaving heavy metal behind, the singer had some encouraging words.
“This isn’t a goodbye to music — just the start of a new chapter!”
Guldemond intends to concentrate on her own music and explore new creative opportunities.
She has not yet confirmed a new album, touring project or permanent band.
Nevertheless, her comments make it clear that she is looking towards the future with enthusiasm.
💀 Why Did LAURA GULDEMOND Leave BURNING WITCHES?
Whenever a popular musician leaves an established band, speculation inevitably follows.
Was there a disagreement?
Were there problems behind the scenes?
Was the band planning to change its musical direction?
In this case, Guldemond has provided a relatively straightforward explanation.
The singer felt that her creative vision and the band’s future direction no longer fully aligned.
Both sides have described the separation respectfully.
The band acknowledged that discussions took place before the final decision was made.
Guldemond, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for their years together and emphasised that there was no animosity.
No additional details about those creative differences have been publicly confirmed.
And there is no reason to assume that the situation involved anything more than the explanation provided.
After seven years, four studio albums and extensive international touring, musicians can naturally develop different artistic ambitions.
For Guldemond, the time has come to explore those ambitions independently.
And for BURNING WITCHES, the challenge now is finding someone capable of taking the group into its next era.
🔥 FIREBORN’s JENNIFER GRUBER Confirmed As Temporary Replacement!
One of the biggest questions following Guldemond’s departure was how BURNING WITCHES intended to fulfil their upcoming concert commitments.
Fortunately, the band have already found a temporary solution.
Jennifer Gruber, vocalist of German hard rock and metal outfit FIREBORN, will step in for the remaining shows scheduled during 2026.
The musicians described Gruber as a close friend and expressed their excitement about performing together.
Her involvement will allow BURNING WITCHES to continue their live activities without cancelling concerts.
However, the arrangement is currently temporary.
Jennifer Gruber has not been announced as BURNING WITCHES’ permanent new singer.
The band have confirmed that auditions for a full-time replacement are already underway.
For Gruber, the opportunity represents an exciting challenge.
She will be stepping into a group with an established international following, six studio albums and a catalogue filled with powerful traditional heavy metal songs.
Fans attending the upcoming concerts will also get an early opportunity to hear how another vocalist approaches the band’s material.
And with FIREBORN’s own musical identity rooted in guitar-driven hard rock and metal, Gruber brings relevant experience to the role.
📅 BURNING WITCHES Confirm All Upcoming Shows Will Go Ahead!
Despite the unexpected lineup change, BURNING WITCHES have reassured fans that their announced concerts will proceed.
The band are scheduled to return to the stage in November before performing several shows in Germany during December.
🤘 BURNING WITCHES – Remaining Confirmed 2026 Concerts
Date
Festival / Event
Location
7 November 2026
Metal At Lust – Edition V
The Garage, Żebbuġ, Malta
5 December 2026
Hard Circle Festival
RuhrCongress, Bochum, Germany
11 December 2026
Hard Circle Festival
Schwabenhalle, Augsburg, Germany
12 December 2026
Knock Out Festival
Schwarzwaldhalle, Karlsruhe, Germany
Jennifer Gruber is expected to handle lead vocals for these performances.
The band’s return to Malta on 7 November will be particularly significant, as it will be the first announced concert following Guldemond’s departure.
For fans, that performance will provide the first indication of how the temporary lineup works together.
The December shows will then give the musicians further opportunities to develop their onstage chemistry.
Additional concerts and lineup announcements may follow as BURNING WITCHES prepare for 2027.
🎸 Who Is LAURA GULDEMOND?
Laura Guldemond is a Dutch heavy metal vocalist who became internationally recognised through her work with BURNING WITCHES.
Before joining the band, she performed with the Netherlands-based symphonic metal group SHADOWRISE.
Her singing combines the soaring melodies of traditional heavy metal with a more aggressive and powerful delivery suited to modern metal arrangements.
That versatility made her an important addition to BURNING WITCHES.
Guldemond joined the group in June 2019, replacing original vocalist Seraina Telli.
Her first live appearance with the band took place at Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden, later that month.
It was a significant introduction.
Sweden Rock is one of Europe’s best-known hard rock and heavy metal festivals, attracting established international musicians and thousands of dedicated fans.
For Guldemond, performing at such an event provided an immediate opportunity to demonstrate her abilities.
And over the following seven years, she became an essential part of BURNING WITCHES’ identity.
Her powerful stage presence, distinctive vocals and energetic performances helped the band reach audiences across Europe and beyond.
💿 FOUR Albums That Defined LAURA GULDEMOND’s Time With BURNING WITCHES
During her seven years with the group, Guldemond recorded four full-length studio albums.
Each release contributed to the band’s development and helped establish their growing international reputation.
Album
Release year
Dance With The Devil
2020
The Witch Of The North
2021
The Dark Tower
2023
Inquisition
2025
🔥 DANCE WITH THE DEVIL (2020)
Guldemond’s first album with BURNING WITCHES marked an important transition for the group.
Following the departure of Seraina Telli, the band needed to demonstrate that they could continue developing their sound with a new vocalist.
Dance With The Devil delivered precisely that.
The record combined traditional heavy metal guitar arrangements with powerful choruses and a theatrical atmosphere.
Guldemond’s vocal performance helped establish her place within the group, bringing a distinctive energy to the music.
For fans, it demonstrated that BURNING WITCHES could successfully move forward following a major lineup change.
⚡ THE WITCH OF THE NORTH (2021)
Released the following year, The Witch Of The North expanded upon the band’s traditional heavy metal foundations.
The album featured epic arrangements, galloping guitar riffs and powerful vocal melodies.
Its themes drew upon fantasy, mythology and the darker imagery associated with classic heavy metal.
Guldemond’s increasingly confident vocal performances played an important role in the record’s identity.
The album also demonstrated the band’s willingness to explore more ambitious arrangements without abandoning their traditional influences.
💀 THE DARK TOWER (2023)
By the time The Dark Tower arrived, BURNING WITCHES had developed into a formidable international metal act.
The record featured heavier guitar arrangements, memorable melodies and an increasingly polished production.
It also showcased the group’s growing musical confidence.
Guldemond continued developing her vocal approach, moving between aggressive performances and soaring melodic passages.
The album helped strengthen BURNING WITCHES’ reputation among fans of traditional European heavy metal.
🖤 INQUISITION (2025)
Released on 22 August 2025 through Napalm Records, Inquisition became Guldemond’s final studio album with BURNING WITCHES.
The band’s sixth full-length release was produced by Damir Eskic and V.O. Pulver, with founding guitarist Romana Kalkuhl playing a central role in the songwriting.
The record continued exploring the group’s distinctive combination of heavy riffs, dark themes and melodic power metal influences.
Its release demonstrated that BURNING WITCHES remained committed to traditional metal while developing a recognisable modern identity.
For Guldemond, Inquisition now represents the closing chapter of an important period in her career.
And for longtime fans, it will remain part of the musical legacy she leaves behind.
🤘 BURNING WITCHES – Keeping Traditional Heavy Metal Alive!
BURNING WITCHES were formed in Switzerland in 2015 by guitarist Romana Kalkuhl.
The band’s original vision was to celebrate the power and energy of traditional heavy metal.
Drawing inspiration from classic bands such as JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN and other pioneers of the genre, BURNING WITCHES developed a sound built around powerful guitar riffs, melodic vocals and thunderous rhythms.
Their music embraces many of the elements that helped define heavy metal during the late 1970s and 1980s.
Galloping guitar arrangements.
Soaring vocal melodies.
Heavy, driving bass lines.
Powerful drums.
And dramatic lyrical themes.
However, BURNING WITCHES have always aimed to create original music rather than simply imitate their influences.
Their all-female lineup has also helped establish a distinctive identity within the international heavy metal scene.
Over the years, the group have appeared at major festivals and toured alongside established artists, building a dedicated following.
For many fans, BURNING WITCHES represent the continuing strength of traditional heavy metal at a time when the genre continues to evolve.
🎸 BURNING WITCHES’ Complete Studio Album History
With six studio albums released since their formation, BURNING WITCHES have established an impressive catalogue.
Album
Release year
Lead vocalist
Burning Witches
2017
Seraina Telli
Hexenhammer
2018
Seraina Telli
Dance With The Devil
2020
Laura Guldemond
The Witch Of The North
2021
Laura Guldemond
The Dark Tower
2023
Laura Guldemond
Inquisition
2025
Laura Guldemond
The band’s discography now reflects two major vocal eras.
Seraina Telli helped establish their early identity, while Laura Guldemond became the voice associated with their subsequent international growth.
Their next permanent vocalist will inherit an established catalogue alongside the opportunity to shape future material.
🔥 Who Will Become BURNING WITCHES’ Next Permanent Singer?
With Guldemond’s departure confirmed, attention will naturally turn towards the band’s next full-time vocalist.
BURNING WITCHES have already announced that auditions are underway.
However, no permanent appointment has been made.
The band have not revealed a shortlist of candidates or indicated when an announcement might be expected.
For the remaining musicians, the decision will be particularly important.
The group’s sound relies heavily on powerful vocals capable of delivering both traditional heavy metal melodies and more aggressive passages.
The next singer will need to perform established material while contributing to the band’s future creative direction.
But simply finding someone capable of reproducing Guldemond’s performances may not be enough.
The band will also be looking for a musician who shares their ambitions and musical vision.
After all, differences in creative direction were part of the reason Guldemond decided to leave.
The search therefore provides an opportunity for BURNING WITCHES to establish a new long-term partnership.
And with the band already planning to continue performing, they clearly have no intention of allowing the lineup change to slow their momentum.
🖤 What Happens Next For LAURA GULDEMOND?
For Guldemond, leaving BURNING WITCHES represents the beginning of a new creative chapter.
The singer has confirmed that she intends to concentrate fully on her own music.
However, she has not yet announced specific recordings or performances.
It remains to be seen whether she will launch a solo project, establish another band or collaborate with musicians from elsewhere in the metal scene.
Whatever direction she chooses, seven years of international touring and recording with BURNING WITCHES have provided considerable experience.
Her contributions to four albums have also established a catalogue that fans can continue enjoying.
And importantly, she leaves the band on respectful terms.
Both sides have expressed gratitude for their time together and wished one another well.
In an industry where lineup changes can sometimes become public disputes, that is a welcome approach.
There may be disappointment about the separation, but there is also an opportunity to celebrate what the musicians achieved together.
⚡ A Major Change After An Important Year For BURNING WITCHES
The announcement comes after a busy period for the band.
Their 2025 album Inquisition helped maintain their international profile, while further festival appearances and touring activities continued into 2026.
The group recently celebrated a successful performance in Bogotá, Colombia, describing it as their biggest concert to date.
That growing international following makes the timing of Guldemond’s departure particularly significant.
BURNING WITCHES are continuing to reach new audiences.
Their catalogue is expanding.
And their live reputation remains strong.
But they now face the challenge of maintaining that momentum while introducing a different voice.
Fortunately, the musicians have already navigated a major vocalist change before.
When Guldemond replaced Seraina Telli in 2019, the band successfully continued recording and touring.
Their experience of that transition may prove useful as they prepare for the next chapter.
🤘 THE RIFF REPORT VERDICT – THE WITCHCRAFT CONTINUES!
Laura Guldemond leaving BURNING WITCHES after seven years is a significant change for one of Europe’s most recognisable traditional heavy metal bands.
Her contribution to the group shouldn’t be underestimated.
Four studio albums.
International tours.
Major festival appearances.
And countless powerful vocal performances.
For many fans, Guldemond became the definitive voice of BURNING WITCHES during an important period of their development.
Her departure will undoubtedly leave a gap.
However, both the singer and the band have approached the announcement with respect and gratitude.
There have been no accusations or public arguments.
Instead, the musicians have acknowledged that their creative ambitions have developed in different directions.
And sometimes, that’s simply how musical partnerships evolve.
For BURNING WITCHES, the immediate priority is continuing their announced performances with Jennifer Gruber behind the microphone.
The band are also actively searching for a new permanent frontwoman.
For Laura Guldemond, the future promises opportunities to explore her own music and establish another chapter in her career.
Here at The Riff Report Blog, we’d like to wish Laura every success with her future projects.
And we look forward to discovering what comes next for BURNING WITCHES.
Because if there’s one thing the band have made absolutely clear, it’s that this is not the end.
SEVEN YEARS. FOUR ALBUMS. COUNTLESS MEMORIES. AND TWO EXCITING NEW CHAPTERS WAITING TO BEGIN!
LAURA GULDEMOND MAY HAVE LEFT THE COVEN – BUT THE BURNING WITCHES FIRE IS FAR FROM EXTINGUISHED! 🎸🖤🔥🤘
THE RIFF REPORT BLOG – MUSIC JOURNALISM WITH BOOTS AT THE BARRICADE!
