Quick-fire round-up of the last couple weeks’ best bandcamp investments…
Mountain Witch – Cold River
This Charming Man Records, 2013
Now, if my theorem is correct the Cold River equation goes something like this: (doom x grooves) + (retro vibes x riffs) x Sabbath; and my stonerific calculator tells me, therefore, that I should be all over this…so why doesn’t it add up?
It’s true, those grooving riffs are there, the Black Sabbath influence is obvious – Ancient Light almost being Iron Man isn’t even a problem – and the addition of vocals to this once instrumental band lace it with that sinister doom edge; but, somehow, the sum of these parts just doesn’t compute like it should.
Granted, maths has never been my strong point, so maybe I’ve got Mountain Witch all wrong. The reception this German trio’s second full length received back in 2013 was acclaiming: production and musicianship compliments alongside Kadavar comparisons a plenty; but despite the pace changes (The Covey) and psyche-suggestions (Once I Am King), the songs just don’t take you anywhere memorable, the tempting riffs are tasty but don’t satiate, the vocal hooks escapable…
It’s a good listen. Perhaps if it wasn’t for all the other retro-inspired, occult-tinged, Sabbath-worshipping stoner/doom bands out there it would be excellent. Good, comparatively, but not essential (6.5/10).
Highlight: The Covey
Available at: https://mountainwitch.bandcamp.com/album/mountain-witch-cold-river-lp (€10/£7.08)
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