The Bell Witch is the debut studio album by the American doom metal band Bell Witch. It was released in 2011 and consists of two tracks, "Bails (Of Flesh)" and "Rows (Of Endless Waves)". The album is known for its atmospheric and haunting sound, drawing inspiration from funeral doom and black metal. The lyrics delve into dark themes of death, loss, and sorrow, adding to the overall somber and melancholic atmosphere of the music. The album received critical acclaim for its unique and captivating sound, and has since become a seminal release in the doom metal genre. The Bell Witch album showcases the band's ability to create captivating and immersive music that lures the listener into a dark and emotional journey.
By slowing down both their creative process and the tempo of the music, Bell Witch creates a sense of time outside of time, a chord that echoes without resolution. “The Clandestine Gate” is the first chapter in a planned triptych of longform albums, collectively called “Future’s Shadow,” and is both the beginning and end of a yawning orbit around an increasingly massive core.
By slowing down both their creative process and the tempo of the music, Bell Witch creates a sense of time outside of time, a chord that echoes without resolution. By slowing down both their creative process and the tempo of the music, Bell Witch creates a sense of time outside of time, a chord that echoes without resolution.
The Bell Witch album showcases the band's ability to create captivating and immersive music that lures the listener into a dark and emotional journey. Their use of sparse instrumentation, slow tempos, and haunting vocals creates an eerie and otherworldly experience, making it a must-listen for any fan of doom metal or atmospheric music. Overall, the Bell Witch album is a testament to the band's talent and creativity, and solidifies their place as one of the leading acts in the doom metal genre.
Doom metallers BELL WITCH announce new album, Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate.
Bell Witch, the renowned doom metal band from the Pacific Northwest, has been defying conventional expectations of music structure for over a decade. Rather than seeking catharsis, the band’s music slowly moves through time, creating a trancelike sense of eternity. Their music invokes both boundlessness and claustrophobia, creating a sense of timelessness in an increasingly frenetic media culture.
Today, Bell Witch has announced the release of their new album, “Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate.” This single, 83-minute track pulses and breathes on a cinematic timeframe, much like their lauded 2017 album, “Mirror Reaper.” “The Clandestine Gate” is the first part of a planned triptych of longform albums, collectively titled “Future’s Shadow.”
“Eventually, the end of the last album will be looped around to the first to make a circle,” says bassist Dylan Desmond of the triptych. “It can be continuously looped, like a day cycle. This would be dawn. The next one would be noon. The following one would be sundown, with dawn and sundown both having something of night.”
Photo By Bobby Cochran – Bell Witch is Bassist Dylan Desmond (L) and Drummer Jesse Shreibman (R)
Bell Witch’s new album, “Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate,” sees the band experimenting with new compositional weights and vocal strategies. The album features a greater emphasis on organ and synthesizer, with a slower pace that allows themes of eternal return and life’s fleeting nature to simmer in a somatic and embodied way. The album’s glacial pace is inspired by the films of Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky and the concept of eternal return as described by Nietzsche.
By slowing down both their creative process and the tempo of the music, Bell Witch creates a sense of time outside of time, a chord that echoes without resolution. “The Clandestine Gate” is the first chapter in a planned triptych of longform albums, collectively called “Future’s Shadow,” and is both the beginning and end of a yawning orbit around an increasingly massive core.
Today Bell Witch have also announced an exclusive, one-off performance in which they will perform Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate in full this Friday, April 21 on the main stage at renowned Dutch festival Roadburn in Tilburg, The Netherlands. Desmond tells, “We have always had incredible experiences at Roadburn and cannot think of a better place for the live debut of our new record. We can’t wait to return to their stage on Friday for the premiere performance of The Clandestine Gate.” For more info, click here.
The Quietus recently spoke to Desmond about The Clandestine Gate – read the interview in full HERE.
Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate sees its release across all digital retailers on Friday, April 21 and physical (CD, Cassette, Vinyl) on June 9 via Profound Lore.
Bell Witch’s new album, “Future’s Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate,” sees the band experimenting with new compositional weights and vocal strategies. The album features a greater emphasis on organ and synthesizer, with a slower pace that allows themes of eternal return and life’s fleeting nature to simmer in a somatic and embodied way. The album’s glacial pace is inspired by the films of Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky and the concept of eternal return as described by Nietzsche.
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Reviews for "The Bell Witch Album: A Sonic Journey Through the Supernatural"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Bell Witch album. The songs all seemed to blend together with no clear distinction between them. The slow, droning sound became monotonous and boring after the first couple of tracks. I was hoping for more variety and depth in the music, but sadly, it just didn't deliver. It's safe to say that this album won't be making it onto my playlist anytime soon.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for the Bell Witch album, but it fell flat for me. The slow, atmospheric style they're known for just didn't resonate with me this time. The songs lacked energy and the lyrics felt uninspiring. While I appreciate their attempt at creating a haunting ambiance, it ultimately left me feeling disconnected from the music. I was hoping for something more engaging and captivating.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars - I'll be honest, I really tried to like the Bell Witch album. I'm a fan of their previous work, but this one just didn't hit the mark for me. The long, drawn-out tracks felt repetitive and the lack of variation made it hard to stay engaged. I found myself skipping through the songs, hoping to find something that would grab my attention, but alas, it never happened. The album lacked the emotional depth that I enjoyed in their earlier releases.
4. Emily - 3/5 stars - The Bell Witch album had its moments, but overall, it left me wanting more. While the atmospheric soundscapes were intriguing, they often felt too long and meandering. The songs seemed to lack a clear direction and structure, making it hard to connect with the music on a deeper level. While it's not a terrible album, it just didn't meet my expectations or leave a lasting impression.
5. David - 2/5 stars - The Bell Witch album was a letdown for me. The slow, doom-laden sound they're known for became monotonous and failed to keep my interest throughout the album. The lack of variation in tempo and dynamics made it hard for me to fully appreciate the music. I understand that it's their signature style, but I was hoping for some surprises or moments that would break the mold. Unfortunately, it felt like more of the same without any standout tracks.