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February 17, 2006
only the purest of ores will do
When I was seized last week by a mysterious compulsion to search madly for information on Kyle and Asa from Feathers' metal side-project (which is called Embalmed by Vastness- more on them at a later date), I stumbled across an unlikely collaboration they had struck up: one with J. Mascis and Dave Sweetapple, in a heavy metal band named Witch; I was even more surprised to see that Kyle sings and writes the lyrics, Asa plays guitar, Mascis is on drums (!!), and Dave is on bass. Both songs I've heard are amazing.
'Rip Van Winkle' features Kyle's version of the titular story, sung in his light, airy voice (cuts through the snariness of Asa's riffs and Dave's tarred bass), there's a strong melody to the song, but hell- most of this is about Asa's guitar, which is showcased at every turn, quick pit stops and flare-ups during the song, where Asa rolls out note upon shimmering note. The climax, at 3:52- with Kyle screaming "he had grown old" (Rip's shock in the story providing the dramatic tension here), and the mirrored grief of the guitar and bass along with a flash of temper from Mascis' drums- makes this song spectacular (I esp. love that little breakdown that ends the track).
Witch has a 7" single out now ('Soul of Fire' b/w 'Rip Van Winkle'), and the self-titled full-length is due for release in early March on Tee Pee Records. If anyone's going to SXSW, you can catch the band live on Saturday, March 18 (8.00PM) @ Redrum Annex, with a bunch of other Tee Pee bands. You can buy the 7" over here (and a Witch t-shirt, if you're so inclined).
Since we're talking metal, and since I'll take even the most tenuous connection as a reason to post some Tim Hecker (genius), here's a track from his gorgeously dark "Mirages": Tim Hecker - The Truth of Accountants
Posted by Kevin at February 17, 2006 09:23 AM