This is the début album from UK Doom Metal band Witch Charmer.
This is retro-style Stoner Psychedelic Doom with female vocals and blues-tinged riffs. This type of music has become less of a niche-only style in the last few years and is definitely more saturated and popular these days. Having said that Witch Charmer are good enough to hold their own and hopefully make their mark on the scene.
The vocalist has a very strong voice and she dominates the tunes with her presence. Her vocals are complemented by additional backing vocals that enhance the songs with their inclusion as it gives a further aspect to the band. The multiple-backing-vocalists-plus-powerful-main-vocals approach is unusual/uncommon and works amazingly well.
The interplay between these male and female vocals is a great touch and is a point that differentiates them from a lot of other bands who play a similar style. Something else which also does this is the band’s slightly darker sound than the norm; think more Electric Wizard-esque than any of the numerous Stoner Rock bands out there.
The riffs are typically huge and captivating; 70’s blues rock riffs made heavy and dirty so that they sound more contemporary than most. The band play slow and heavy very well but can also hit and maintain a good groove.
Each song on this release is a hugely enjoyable exemplar of the style and definitely something you should check out if you have even a passing interest in this genre.
Give them a listen; absorb the grizzled and fuzzy music in the best way possible – loud.
Wonderbox Metal 