Sob witch Williamsburg is a phrase that refers to the popular neighborhood of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York City. Williamsburg has become known for its vibrant arts and music scene, trendy restaurants and bars, and hipster culture. The term "sob witch" is a play on words, combining the words "sob" (an abbreviation for son of a bitch) and "witch" (a term often associated with witches and witchcraft). It is often used to describe someone who is seen as pretentious or overly dramatic. In the context of Williamsburg, "sob witch" is often used to poke fun at the neighborhood's reputation as a haven for hipsters and creative types. The phrase implies that the people who live or frequent Williamsburg are overly concerned with their image and engage in affected behaviors or trends.
In 2016, while composing music, Guerra passed away in his sleep due to a heart attack. He was 36. Desmond and Shreibman basically stopped playing, uncertain of how to proceed given their crushing sense of loss. They eventually reconvened in 2017, completing the group’s third studio long-player, Mirror Reaper. Released at the end of October, the 87-minute single track was recorded as an homage to Guerra and used his scratch vocals throughout. Reviews proved overwhelmingly positive, garnering the band high-profile touring dates all over the globe. In 2018, an archival gig recorded in 2015, Live at Roadburn, was issued, featuring one of Guerra’s final performances.
Comprised of short intro and outro bookends, at its heart were two excruciatingly molasses-like extended-length jams that offered their now-trademark brand of glacial melancholy and foreboding. That idea was pushed to the wayside in favor of an actual collaboration, which made sense given Aerial Ruin and Bell Witch s similar thematic musical concerns with the loss of self as a requirement for a redemptive spiritual journey.
The phrase implies that the people who live or frequent Williamsburg are overly concerned with their image and engage in affected behaviors or trends. While the term may be used somewhat jokingly, it does highlight a perception that Williamsburg can sometimes be seen as a bit self-indulgent or self-important. The neighborhood has seen rapid gentrification in recent years, with rising rents and an influx of young professionals and artists.
Bell Witch
A melancholic metal duo based in Seattle, Washington, Bell Witch have developed a potent, minimalist vein of doom, sludge, and post-metal. Named for a folkloric poltergeist, the band’s slow, heavy music is all-encompassing; it is by turns melodic, sorrowful, and brooding unto malevolence. Reviewers regularly commented on the juxtaposition of emotional power and brutal physicality in their sound.
Founder/bassist Dylan Desmond claims the band’s M.O. from day one was to compose and play aural ghost stories. A listen to their earliest recordings, such as their 40-minute long-playing demo, underscores this impression; by the time they released 2018’s Mirror Reaper, a single 87-minute track composed while in mourning, they’d come to embody that M.O.
Formed around the talents of drummer/vocalist Adrian Guerra and bassist/vocalist Dylan Desmond in 2010, the duo released an eponymous, album-length demo. Comprised of short intro and outro bookends, at its heart were two excruciatingly molasses-like extended-length jams that offered their now-trademark brand of glacial melancholy and foreboding. Received with great enthusiasm in the metal press and online, they signed to Profound Lore for their debut album, Longing, in 2012, mixed by Brandon Fitzsimons. Plodding, serpentine, and crushingly heavy, two of the album’s six tracks were over ten-minutes long, and one was over 20.
Four Phantoms followed in 2014, as did tours of Europe and the U.S., during which time, Guerra’s increasing alcohol usage became a bone of contention between the pair. Desmond’s longtime roommate, Jesse Shreibman, mixed live sound for the band and acted as a road manager. He interceded for Desmond with Guerra and vice-versa to alleviate tensions and build bridges. However, after completing their touring obligations and beginning work on another album, Desmond, frustrated by what he perceived was his own enabling of Guerra’s continued alcohol abuse, asked his friend to leave in 2015, which he did amicably. Desmond then asked Shreibman to replace him. The latter had long heartfelt conversations with Guerra, which smoothed the transition and earned the latter’s blessing.
In 2016, while composing music, Guerra passed away in his sleep due to a heart attack. He was 36. Desmond and Shreibman basically stopped playing, uncertain of how to proceed given their crushing sense of loss. They eventually reconvened in 2017, completing the group’s third studio long-player, Mirror Reaper. Released at the end of October, the 87-minute single track was recorded as an homage to Guerra and used his scratch vocals throughout. Reviews proved overwhelmingly positive, garnering the band high-profile touring dates all over the globe. In 2018, an archival gig recorded in 2015, Live at Roadburn, was issued, featuring one of Guerra’s final performances.
One of the contributors to Mirror Reaper (and indeed much of Bell Witch’s catalog) was Erik Moggridge, the singer and principal musician behind Aerial Ruin. Given his long association with Bell Witch, the intention for a collaboration between the two acts was for each to showcase songs of the other’s. That idea was pushed to the wayside in favor of an actual collaboration, which made sense given Aerial Ruin and Bell Witch’s similar thematic musical concerns with the loss of self as a requirement for a redemptive spiritual journey.
Together, they conceptually plotted and tackled a story from The Golden Bough, written by Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer in 1890. The tale depicts the lot of a slave who emerges to slay the king only to fall prey to the same trappings of luxury, creature comforts, paranoia, jealousy, the false notion of permanence, and of course became enslaved by them all. The finished project, Stygian Bough Volume One, was released in the summer of 2020.
Despite the playful mocking, Williamsburg remains a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Its lively atmosphere, with its street art, independent boutiques, and trendy restaurants, continues to draw people to the area. In conclusion, "sob witch Williamsburg" is a phrase that humorously captures the essence of the trendy and creative neighborhood in Brooklyn. While it may playfully poke fun at the perceived pretentiousness of Williamsburg, the neighborhood remains a beloved destination for those seeking art, culture, and a unique urban experience..
Reviews for "From Grief to Ghost: The Legend of Williamsburg's Sob Witch"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with Sob Witch Williamsburg. The food was average at best and the prices were incredibly steep. I ordered their signature sandwich and it was underwhelming - the meat was dry and the flavors just didn't come together. The service was also quite slow and the staff seemed uninterested in providing a good dining experience. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place.
2. Emily - 1 star - I had such high hopes for Sob Witch Williamsburg, but it fell short in every aspect. The menu options were limited and uninspiring. When my order finally arrived, I was shocked at how poorly presented it was. The sandwich was squished and messy, making it difficult to eat. The taste was lackluster, and it felt like the ingredients were just thrown together without much thought. Definitely not worth the price tag.
3. David - 2 stars - Sob Witch Williamsburg was a huge letdown for me. The ambiance was unpleasant, with a cramped and noisy interior. The service was slow, and I waited ages for my order to arrive. When it did, I was disappointed with the taste - it was bland and lacked any unique flavors. The presentation was also unimpressive. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone looking for an enjoyable dining experience.