Once upon a time, in a secluded swamp, there lived a mysterious woman, rumored to be a witch. Legends and tales spoke of her powers and the magic she wielded. Many feared her, believing she brought bad luck and misfortune upon those who dared cross her path. Yet, others were fascinated by her, drawn to the allure of her powers and the enchantment that seemed to surround her. In the small village nearby, children grew up hearing stories of the swamp witch, passed down from generation to generation. They would sit around campfires, captivated by the tales, their imaginations running wild with ideas of what the witch looked like and how she spent her days.
THAT'S THE PARADOX BELL WITCH DRIVES AT. FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, THE PACIFIC NORTHWESTERN DOOM METAL BAND HAS SENT TIDES SURGING OVER THE SEAWALLS OF THE SONG FORM, UNRAVELING CONVENTIONAL EXPECTATIONS ABOUT THE WAYS MUSIC STATIONS ITSELF IN TIME TO ABSORB A LISTENER'S ATTENTION. RATHER THAN SEEK CATHARSIS, THE DUO'S SONGS HEAVE THEMSELVES THROUGH TIME AT A GLACIAL PACE, STAVING OFF RESOLUTION IN FAVOR OF A TRANCELIKE CAPSULE ETERNITY. INVOKING BOTH BOUNDLESSNESS AND CLAUSTROPHOBIA IN THE SAME CHARGED GESTURE, BELL WITCH CULTIVATES A SENSE OF TIME OUTSIDE OF TIME, AN OASIS INSIDE AN INCREASINGLY FRENETIC MEDIA CULTURE.
ON A HISTORICAL SCALE, TO SAY NOTHING OF A COSMIC ONE, THE INDIVIDUAL HUMAN LIFE VANISHES, AND YET IT S THE ONLY APERTURE ANY OF US GET INTO REALITY. Not to be completely overshadowed by Mirror Reaper , the second half of their set spills into material from Four Phantoms , shifting the mood from mournful to unparalleled misery.
They would sit around campfires, captivated by the tales, their imaginations running wild with ideas of what the witch looked like and how she spent her days. The ballad of the swamp witch echoed through the village, sung by wandering minstrels who added their own twists to the story. It spoke of a woman who was both beautiful and terrifying, with eyes as deep as the murky waters and a voice that could lure unsuspecting souls into her grasp.
LIVE: Bell Witch @ Boston Music Rooms, London
It’s been three years since the Seattle funeral doom two-piece has played in the UK, alongside Ulcerate. During that time, founding member Adrian Guerra sadly passed away, leaving the future of the band uncertain. This tragic occurrence, however, did not stop co-founding member Dylan Desmond from booking Bell Witch shows or opt out of playing early material, and after bringing in Jesse Shreibman to play drums, the new duo completed their 84-minute single track album ‘Mirror Reaper’ in October 2017.
As ‘Mirror Reaper’ was given immense praise from outlets outside of underground metal publications such as AV Club and further exposure through Pitchfork, this brought them a whole new wave of fans. Whilst the Boston Music Rooms isn’t a particularly big venue, tonight is completely sold out, with fans waiting patiently at the very front, ready to experience the nihilistic experience Bell Witch has in store for us.
Once everything is in place, the billowing smoke cascades upon the audience, who passionately cheer and clap, before quickly dissipating into silence. Shreibman keeps lays his head firmly on his snare drum and keeps still, soaking in the desolate journey we are about to embark on.
The atmosphere is perfectly eerie as Desmond rings out the first few notes from his bass, which impressively enough replaces conventional guitar tone. You could cut the introspective tension in the room with a knife, as anticipation builds higher and higher until Shreibman’s drum fills kick in. Never before has a kick drum sounded so powerful and so deliberate with every beat in a live performance.
Further layers of smoke blast out from the stage as the audience soaks in the sluggish, gargantuan riffs alongside the careful but bludgeoning drum fills, each hit more devastating than the last. Both Desmond and Shreibman’s low register, hymn vocals and ghostly shrieks create an almost ritualistic atmosphere, encompassing the mutual catharsis of despair.
Due to the nature of ‘Mirror Reaper’ being a continuous song, unless you’ve memorized most of the album, it can somewhat hard to anticipate when each section has ended. This leaves half of the audience desperate to yell and praise each offering, whilst the other half hiss and shush them, not wanting to be detached from Bell Witch’s hypnotic gaze.
Not to be completely overshadowed by ‘Mirror Reaper’, the second half of their set spills into material from ‘Four Phantoms’, shifting the mood from mournful to unparalleled misery. Hearing segments of ‘Suffocation, a Drowning II’ in particular now feels like a fitting tribute to Guerra’s passing, leaving the audience wanting more, but nonetheless a stellar end to a 45-minute set that feels profoundly life-changing in essence.
Posted by
Ashwin Bhandari
20's something Journo graduate who's given up on life but is carrying on anyway. When he's not sharing my awful opinions about music on social media he also sings and play drums for Night Swimming.
"Eventually, the end of the last album will be looped around to the first to make a circle," said 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."
It described her dwelling, a hidden cottage nestled amidst the twisted trees and overgrown vines, where she brewed potent potions and cast spells under the light of the moon. As the years went by, the fascination with the swamp witch grew, and adventurers from far and wide would journey to the swamp in search of her. Some sought her out for her supposed ability to grant wishes, while others aimed to steal her magical artifacts for their own gain. Many did not return, swallowed by the treacherous swamp or fallen prey to the witch's powers. Yet, amidst the fear and curiosity, few ever took the time to question the true nature of the swamp witch. Was she truly the evil sorceress the legends painted her to be, or was she simply a misunderstood woman, living a solitary life amidst the enchanting beauty of the swamp? One day, a young traveler with a heart full of curiosity ventured into the swamp, determined to uncover the truth about the witch. As he made his way through the murky waters and tangled vegetation, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was much more to the story than what he had been told. Finally, he reached the witch's cottage, crumbling with age but still radiating an air of mystery. Hesitant, he knocked on the door, unsure of what awaited on the other side. To his surprise, the door creaked open, revealing a small, stooped figure cloaked in shadows. "Who goes there?" the witch's voice echoed, both haunting and gentle at the same time. The traveler explained his purpose, his desire to learn the truth about the swamp witch and understand the stories that had captivated his village. The witch, her face lined with wrinkles and eyes sparkling with ancient wisdom, slowly nodded. She welcomed the traveler into her cottage, where they sat by the crackling fireplace, talking late into the night. The traveler learned that the witch's true name was Elara, and she had chosen to live in seclusion to protect both herself and the secrets of the swamp from those who sought to exploit them. As their conversation flowed, the traveler discovered that Elara possessed a deep connection with nature and used her powers to heal the land, to preserve its delicate balance amidst the encroachment of civilization. She shared her knowledge of herbs, plants, and ancient rituals, teaching the traveler the importance of respecting the natural world and finding harmony within it. When it was time for the traveler to leave, he realized that the ballad of the swamp witch had been both a warning and a call to understand. It had told tales of power and danger but failed to explore the compassion and wisdom that lay beneath the surface. With newfound knowledge and appreciation, the traveler returned to his village, where he shared the truth about Elara, the swamp witch. No longer a figure to be feared or coveted, she became a symbol of the delicate balance between humanity and nature, a reminder to respect and cherish the wonders that the world around us holds. And so, the ballad of the swamp witch transformed into a tale of understanding, reminding all who heard it of the importance of looking beyond the surface and embracing the mysteries that lie in the depths..
Reviews for "From Oral Tradition to written form: Tracing the Evolution of the Swamp Witch Ballad"
1. John - 2 stars
I couldn't get into "Ballad about a swamp witch" at all. The story felt confusing and disjointed, making it hard for me to follow along. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style was not engaging and failed to capture my interest. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and disappointing.
2. Emily - 1 star
I found "Ballad about a swamp witch" to be a complete waste of my time. The plot was convoluted and nonsensical, leaving me feeling frustrated and confused. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it impossible for me to care about their fates. The writing was also lackluster, with repetitive phrases and unimaginative descriptions. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable reading experience.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Ballad about a swamp witch" was not what I expected. The story lacked clear direction and purpose, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The pacing was slow, and there were too many unnecessary subplots that distracted from the main narrative. The characters were forgettable and their actions often felt forced or unrealistic. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointing and forgettable read.