WITCHBONES "The Seas of Draugen"

WITCHBONES

“The Sea of Draugen”

Something that you must understand about fans of death and black metal is that they invert every normal standard to their own twisted conception. Therefore, “sick” means something enjoyable, “grotesque” is something beautiful, “bestial” is a target to be achieved. Really, only sick bastards like us can truly understand this upside down world.

In that world, WITCHBONES’ “The Sea of Draugen” is a great achievement. There’s lots of super ugly death metal coming out of Portland these days, but this might take the cake. It is that peculiar kind often described as “cavernous” because it sounds like it was recorded at the bottom of a ghastly abyss. Well, this is as cavernous as it gets. INCANTATION set the standard for this long ago, but bands like WITCHBONES are pushing it even further yet. This is moss-encrusted filth based on lots of repetition and riffs so dark they could eclipse the sun. The so-called “vocals” are like Cthulhu belching into an undersea tunnel...an appropriate image, because there is a definite “nautical” feel to WITCHBONES’ brand of death.

I would describe this more as a mini-LP as the length is under 30 minutes. That seems to be the correct choice as there is only so much of this you can take. But if you are willing to take the plunge, you can dive into ominous odes like “The Nun Collector”, “Nebulous Ghost Ship” and the ultra-sick “The Candle Burns Alone” (Dead Sailors). In this universe where sickness is health and disease is welcome, listen to WITCHBONES and be well.

IRON BONEHEAD

WITCHBONES