I've obviously always been a fan of the weirder and witchier side of doom. I'm not going to deny that I'm a sucker for bands like Jex Thoth and Witch Mountain. So when I found out about a new band on the scene, Frayle, and their new EP, The White Witch I couldn't help but to be fascinated and take a bit of a dive. The ethereal vocals here and the crushing guitars make for a surprisingly delicate record that can't help but to fascinate. The potent drive of a song like Things That Make Us Bleed mesmerizes the listener and lets them know they are in for a treat.
There is something strangely addictive about the wonderfully warm guitar tones counterbalanced with a vocal persona that can't help but to feel alien. What gets me here is the depth of the compositions. Not everything is based around thick riffs, but instead you feel moments where the bass guitar gets to shine and still others where the poetic melodies shine through. You can feel yourself getting swept up in the hypnotic playing. The way frontwoman Gwyn Strang repeats vocal lines, almost like a mantra serves to make this an album that draws you in thoroughly. It's not something that you necessarily would think would work on the surface, but once you die in you can't help but to fall in love.
This is a band who aren't afraid to branch out. They included a Portishead cover for Gods sake. There is a sense of tripped out mystery that makes The White Witch fascinating. There are a lot of thrilling musical achievements here just as there are elements of the mystical and weird decorating the album. I'm curious to see how the band grows - with a full length there sound can really expand and be properly explored. As is, these choruses are invigorating and deliciously well done. It's definitely worth digging in.
Find them on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/frayleband/
CD Pre-order:
https://seeingredrecords.bandcamp.com/album/frayle-the-white-witch-ep
Vinyl Coming soon via:
https://laybarerecordings.com/
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