It’s October and you know what that means. We’re weeks away from the most metal holiday of them all, Halloween! It’s that special time of year when the likes of Alice Cooper, King Diamond, Type O Negative, and White Zombie take precedent on headbangers’ playlists. Granted, I listen to all 4 of these bands year round, but there’s something about listening to them when the leaves begin to change and the air grows crisp that feels different. And while these 4 bands represent the mainstream side of autumnal metal, there are even more on the underground side of things, such as the subject of today’s review, Acid Witch.
Hailing from Paul Stanley’s beloved “Detroit Rock City”, Acid Witch has specialized in horror themed death/doom that can’t decide whether it’s more “death” or “doom” for the past 15 years. In this regard, they’re one of the more unique bands in their niche. Add to this some psychedelic undertones and eerie keyboards akin to an obscure 70s horror film and things only get more interesting. It isn’t often Acid Witch gets around to a full length offering (though splits and singles are plentiful), but when they do, you know it’s gonna be a Halloween for the ages, filled with metal that’s obscure and unsettling. Their latest album, Rot Among Us, is all this and more.
After setting the mood with the ominous intro “Gather Each Witch”, Acid Witch goes full blown traditional doom with the title track. While the vocals are guttural as ever and the guitar melodies are haunting, the riffs aren’t too far removed from Cathedral or Black Sabbath. The same can be said for cuts like “Devil’s Night Doom” and “Gundella the Green Witch”, while “5508 Martin St” and “”Chelsea Didn’t Come Home Last Night” showcase the low, slow, and sludgy dirge-driven side of doom metal. They may be doom metal songs at their core, but they all boast the aggressive spirit of death metal underneath, which is what keeps them interesting (Take note doom bands who send me advances!).
Although Acid Witch tends to get stuck in their murky doom ways, there’s enough outliers on Rot Among Us that provide sonic variety. “Psychedeathic Swampnosis” (what a song title) may be the world’s first stoner death song, although I’m sure some nerd in the comments will drop a YouTube link proving otherwise. I could practically feel my lungs tightening from the potency of that dank riffage. Other highlights include the retro doom meets chugging Morbid Angel worship of “The Sleeper”, as well as “Evil Dad (Dad by Dawn)”: A violent slab of thrashing death/doom with morbid lyrics and savage energy. Dare I say I here a tinge of classic Macabre on this unique headbanger? Yes I do.
I look forward to spinning Rot Among Us through the month of October, when the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer. Come the 31st of the month, it will definitely be blasting from my speakers. Let’s just hope the volume and intensity of it all doesn’t conjure some maniacal slasher or decrepit old witch. That said, it would almost be strange if that didn’t happen. You don’t listen to Acid Witch and expect a visit from Casper the Friendly Ghost!
7 out of 10
Label: Hells Headbangers Records
Genre: Death/Doom Metal
For fans of: Temple of Void, Hooded Menace, Cathedral