MyWitchMyBlood - Dying Sky

 

 

MyWitchMyBlood - Dying Sky
Self-released - 2025
Doom Metal, Acoustic Doom, Drone
Rated: ****1/2

Last year MyWitchMyBlood released their first album 'Yetzer Hara', which was a heavy slab of sludge-infused doom with some drone sidesteps that was bound to guide you to the deepest depths of the underworld, where you were happy to stay while being engulfed by the sounds of this Oklahoma City band. Now they're back with a new three track ep titled 'Dying Sky' and I just know you're as eager as me to find out how it sounds and if the sky will indeed breathe its last breath.

Things kick off with the heavy, rumbling doom of 'The World Hates Us Both.', with the point at the end of the title bearing all the essential characteristics of an exclamation mark. It starts with some feedback before settling for a classic doom riff, drenched in distortion and fuzz, stretched out to to perfection for a maximum hypnotic effect, while the gritty vocals add an eerie touch that's rapidly becoming a trademark feature of MyWitchMyBlood sound. The world indeed hates us both.

Next up is the title track - a beautiful acoustic guitar ballad. But don't get fooled. This is not another 'More Than Words' or 'To Be With You'. It's the dark, haunting variety with lyrics to match - bound to send shivers up and down your spine and leave you to rot in the remnants of your own misery once it's finished. It's got that kind of huge effect on your psyche.

And what's more befitting than ending this surprising release than with almost ten minutes of atmospheric doom that comes across as a soundtrack to a world where the sky has indeed died, the atmosphere has vanished, gravity no longer exists and where you - the subject of this listening experience - is floating between planets and stars, orbiting around the sun of your own accord? Yes, this is the perfect ending to one of the most surprising releases so far this year where the mood doesn't really change that much despite the variety of styles on offer. It more or less shifts between the different corners of a circular room while serving you life questions and wavering answers on a bottomless plate, so you can open the gates to some undiscovered layers of your inner soul.

(Written by Ronny Dijksterhuis)

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MyWitchMyBlood - Yetzer Hara

 

 

MyWitchMyBlood - Yetzer Hara
Self-releaed - 2024
Doom, Sludge, Psychedelic
Rated: ****

As soon as you press play, a nice, inviting, mid-tempo doom groove wishes you welcome. A pitch-black, skull-shaped carpet, stretching for what seems to be miles and miles before the vocals kick in, giving the whole sound an instant sludge edge. Not the most technically gifted singer, but man, that aggressive snarl is the perfect fit and confirms the inevitable: the waiting (pun intend, as 'Waiting' is also the title of the first song) is over and you've reached the entrance to a dark and moist dungeon. You think a moment about turning back, but you're unable to resist. You proceed carefully, step by step, surrounded by the steady groove that goes on and on, vocals still snarling, guitar leads looming above you like huge hands growing out of the walls and ceiling, grabbing at you from all angles.

After about ten minutes, you've reached your destination. A large open space. There you are engulfed by 'I Am the Devil, You Know', an alienating instrumental that builds a completely different atmosphere. Despite the sparse instrumentation it's even more threatening than the start of your quest, yet you decide to take a breather and suck it all in before 'The Bone Eater' announces itself. A mostly slow-paced knuckle breaker that creates a sonic image of death and despair, and slowly builds towards a climax near the end. A bewitching and well-crafted tune that abruptly breaks down and makes way for the long, stripped-down psychedelic introduction that starts 'Hollow Eyes'. Another fitting title, as you're circling around, numb and wide-eyed, looking for the long hallway through which you came, desperate to get out, only to notice the opening in the wall has disappeared. You're trapped, just to be bludgeoned to life again by the heaviest part of the album, being the second half of 'Hollow Eyes'. Once that thunderous groove has finished, you're left with yourself, your thoughts and a three and a half minute eerie soundscape that seems to summon the devil himself.

It's the end of your journey. Hell, it might even be the end your life after 35 minutes of dosed mayhem and destruction. Yet, you address yourself to the horned companion in the room, dropping to your knees, begging and pleading to be able to relive the experience again in exchange for your soul. A fire rises from underneath, your companion grows and grows, engulfed by the flames, huge grin on his face. You black out. And when you open your eyes again, still a bit groggy, you realise you're back at the entrance. Ready to press play again.

(Written by Ronny Dijksterhuis)

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