Nell Witch, a clandestine gatw, is a mysterious and enigmatic character. Little is known about her, and those who claim to have encountered her speak in hushed whispers. Her existence is shrouded in secrecy, with only whispers and rumors circulating in the darkest corners of society. Legends tell of Nell Witch's powers and abilities. She is said to possess a deep connection with the ancient and mystical art of witchcraft. From casting spells to summoning spirits, Nell Witch is believed to be a master of the craft.
One track. 1 hour, 23 minutes and 15 seconds long. Exactly the same as Mirror Reaper. If that doesn’t immediately give you an idea of the scope that this project is coming from, nothing will. Viewed as part one of the Future’s Shadow trilogy, The Clandestine Gate opens with slow, haunting organ notes that drift through empty space. It reminds me a lot of Asva’s What You Don’t Know is Frontier record, and as piano keys take over the melancholy at around four minutes, the morose gloom is starting to really set in.
For more than a decade, the Pacific Northwestern doom metal band has sent tides surging over the seawalls of the song form, unravelling conventional expectations about the ways music stations itself in time to absorb a listener s attention. The Bhavacakra, the ouroboros, the eternal return Desmond and drummer Jesse Shreibman lifted this pan-cultural motif from some of Friedrich Nietzsche s most famous works.
From casting spells to summoning spirits, Nell Witch is believed to be a master of the craft. Her knowledge of the arcane is unmatched, and many believe that she has delved into forbidden areas of magic that few dare to explore. It is said that Nell Witch dwells in the shadows, hidden away from prying eyes.
Review: Bell Witch ‘Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate’
The cataclysmic rendering of Bell Witch‘s Mirror Reaper record still reverberates through the extreme music scene to this day, over five years since it first emerged from the nether realm like its album art cover suggests. Tectonic, apocalyptic, a record that has bewitched many since that day and it is always a pleasure and a curse to anticipate how a band will follow something so seminal. Well, your answer is Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate, Bell Witch‘s new record out now through Profound Lore.
Bell Witch ‘Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate’ ArtworkOne track. 1 hour, 23 minutes and 15 seconds long. Exactly the same as Mirror Reaper. If that doesn’t immediately give you an idea of the scope that this project is coming from, nothing will. Viewed as part one of the Future’s Shadow trilogy, The Clandestine Gate opens with slow, haunting organ notes that drift through empty space. It reminds me a lot of Asva’s What You Don’t Know is Frontier record, and as piano keys take over the melancholy at around four minutes, the morose gloom is starting to really set in.
Like all good funeral doom, The Clandestine Gate isn’t just an exercise in soul sucking heaviness (although when that starts to hit around the eight-and-a-half-minute mark, ooft) but also it is about tension, about atmosphere and about emotional weight too. The ghostly choral vocals come in after eleven minutes, an eternity for most bands but a mere blink in Bell Witch‘s time.
Upbeat isn’t the word, up-tempo certainly isn’t but there is a real sense of space, of vast open vistas that aren’t quite as dark and miserable as we were led to believe. By twenty minutes you could imagine almost this being an ambient piece, but with drums and guitar of course. It is huuuuge, but begins to close in on itself from here, trembling quiet notes shudder in the encroaching darkness and fade away into almost nothing. Sinister vocals weave within a single, creeping melody.
A more gloomy and funereal mood takes over, nothing cataclysmic yet, more like a trudge to the edge of the world. A stare over the end into the void, pausing to contemplate the abyssal growls emanating below you. The organ and choral vocals return as well, like a redemption light as everything starts to crumble. A conscious effort by the band to showcase more of their individual instruments and vocals perhaps? Certainly, it seems that way to me. The final, dirging destruction of death/doom tectonics, punctuated by organ once more, is the pièce de résistance of a work that is ritually spellbinding and invigorating.
I read in the promotional material that Future’s Shadow Part 1 was inspired by the minimalist films of Andrei Tarkovsky as well as the concepts of eternal return, where time never ends, and death is not the end of life but the beginning of a new infinite cycle. You can see exactly how, in the planetary, cosmic expanses of Bell Witch‘s soundscaping abilities; if this is the first part of a triptych that is destined to loop back upon itself like a titanic ouroboros of doom, then it foreshadows a truly time rending masterpiece. We are witnesses to the funeral doom’s rapture.
Label: Profound Lore Records
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All this proffers itself as a readymade punchline, of course. An 83-minute doom album that is actually the first third of a four-hour opus seems a sort of galaxy-brained terminus, the ostensible slag of two stony dudes sitting for far too long in some smoke-clogged rehearsal room, tossing off absurd hypotheticals. Its minimalism becomes not just maximalism but also mannerism, so far up the form’s ass it may seem hard for outsiders to peer in. But Bell Witch are blessedly self-aware, adding one second of silence to The Clandestine Gate just to make it longer than Mirror Reaper, then sharing a laugh in interviews about the ridiculous choice. They get that this is a lot, that most folks don’t have the space for four hours of doom about, well, being doomed.
She is rumored to inhabit a remote cottage deep in the woods, surrounded by her potions, scrolls, and other magical artifacts. Even her appearance is a subject of speculation, with some claiming she has an otherworldly beauty, while others insist that she is a haggard crone, with a twisted and disfigured form. Despite her secretive nature, Nell Witch is said to be a beacon of hope for those who seek her assistance. It is rumored that she aids those in need, offering her magical expertise to those who come to her with genuine intentions. Whether it is healing the sick, providing guidance, or granting wishes, Nell Witch is believed to have the power to change lives. Yet, Nell Witch's true motives and intentions remain a mystery. Some believe that she uses her powers for personal gain, while others argue that she exists solely to help others. There is an air of danger and unpredictability surrounding her, adding to the allure and fear that surrounds her name. Those who have come into contact with Nell Witch describe her as both captivating and terrifying. She possesses an air of power and authority that demands respect and awe. Her presence alone is said to send shivers down the spine of even the bravest individuals. In conclusion, Nell Witch, the clandestine gatw, remains an enigmatic figure, existing only in the whispers and legends that surround her. Her true existence and nature may forever be a mystery, but the tales of her powers and influence continue to captivate the imagination of those who dare to believe in the supernatural..
Reviews for "Nell's Secret Coven: The Dark Side of Witchcraft"
1. Sarah - 1/5 - I found "Nell witch clandestnie gatw" to be extremely confusing and unengaging. The plot was all over the place and it felt like the author was trying to cram too many ideas into one book. The characters were poorly developed and it was hard to connect with any of them. I also found the writing style to be choppy and unappealing. Overall, I was disappointed with this novel and would not recommend it.
2. John - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Nell witch clandestnie gatw" based on the synopsis, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The pacing was slow and it took a long time for the story to really get going. The world-building was lacking and it was hard to understand the rules and magic systems in place. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the characters. While I appreciate the author's attempt at creating a unique and mysterious story, it just didn't work for me.
3. Emily - 2.5/5 - "Nell witch clandestnie gatw" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver. The writing was inconsistent and at times, it felt like the author was trying too hard to be overly descriptive. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. The overall plot lacked cohesion and left me feeling unsatisfied. While there were a few enjoyable moments, it wasn't enough to redeem this book in my eyes.
4. Alex - 1.5/5 - I found "Nell witch clandestnie gatw" to be a confusing and convoluted mess. The story lacked clear direction and the plot twists felt forced and unnecessary. The world-building was weak and there were inconsistencies throughout. The writing style was disjointed and it was hard to follow what was happening. Overall, I struggled to get through this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.