Elk Witch Announce Azimuth LP Out April 12; Premiere Title-Track
Medford, Oregon, heavy rockers Elk Witch have signed to Majestic Mountain Records for the April 12 release of their sophomore full-length, Azimuth. With it, the three-piece of guitarist/vocalist Deven Andersen (who also engineered and mixed the recording), bassist Darren Wostenberg and drummer Joe Coitus offer a take on turn-of-the-century-style, hyper-unpretentious riffy groove bolstered by more modern atmospherics and centered around themes of nature and space, as though to confirm that 2022’s Beyond the Mountain (review here) was the statement of purpose it seemed to be.
With this point of view and purpose behind them, Elk Witch could hardly be more suited to go to ground as they do. The nine-song/37-minute Azimuth — “Liminal Space” is a quiet interlude after the title-track, and the side B intro “Vortex” pairs nighttime insect sounds with a brief instrumental — feels more straightforward than it is, and carries an ease to its groove that reminds of earlier Suplecs or others among the more venerable on the Man’s Ruin roster, some of it perhaps filtered through the later interpretations of The Sword, even as the shimmer on the lead guitar marks “Empyrean” or “Goddess of Winter” as current. “Universe 25” is about as close as they come to naked Kyussery, but fair game for an album that’s working to bring elements of mountain and desert together, and even there the vocals and the insistent snare drum assure they bring their own personality to it.
Pairing its hi-you-should-check-out-this-record nodder chug with an AI video animated to highlight the theme of nature reclaiming spaces humans think they’ve conquered, and also some mystic-ish iconography and whathaveyou, the title-track is the longest song on the album, so “Azimuth” gives you a substantial piece of the whole as well as a demonstration of tone, songwriting, thee hook, and so on. It’s representative of Azimuth as a whole, as one would hope, and engages a welcoming vibe to foster the greater groovealanche of the LP.
Please enjoy:
Elk Witch, “Azimuth” premiere
Preorders:
https://majesticmountainrecords.bigcartel.com/product/elk-witch-azimuth
and/or https://elkwitch.bandcamp.com/
Majestic Mountain Records are pleased to announce a release from the the mountainous high desert landscapes of Southern Oregon.
Elk Witch bring us their second full length album entitled “Azimuth” on the 2nd of April, 2024.
Elk Witch emerged into heavy consciousness in 2019, founded by guitarist/vocalist Deven Andersen, bassist Darren Wostenberg, and drummer Joe Coitus. The three united to combine their influences into hazy expressions of classically blazing Stoner/Doom with elements of Prog/Rock. Full of raw energy and a seamless blending of modern Stoner/Doom metal rooted in classic 70s and 90s Metal and Rock, Elk Witch critics have noted that fans of legendary bands such as Black Sabbath, The Sword, The Obessed and Freedom Hawk will be captivated by Elk Witch’s burly, riff-driven profile.
Their debut EP “The Mountain,” released in 2019, was followed by an expansion on the theme as Elk Witch went back to the studio in 2021 completely re-producing the release while adding two new tracks. “Beyond the Mountain,” released in 2022 continued on the theme set in motion while also featuring two new tracks. Two placings on the mighty Doom Charts later, the band’s reach extends far beyond Oregon, and now in a partnership with Majestic Mountain Records, Elk Witch is poised to release their second album “Azimuth” on 12.04.2024.
From the band: “It’s a surreal feeling to be able to call Majestic Mountain Records home. MMR was on our minds from the get-go of making our second record. It seemed like a natural home for our band for too many reasons to list. There’s this undeniable vibe about MMR that resonates with us, and we’re genuinely psyched about what it represents in the heavy underground scene. Marco is a cool dude, and he has built something awesome with MMR. We feel honored to be among all the incredible bands on the MMR roster, and the prospect of adding our sonic fingerprint to their already killer catalog is exciting. If you know anything about us, you know our obsession with mountains runs deep – “Mountain” found its way into the titles of our last two releases. Our lyrics too, are woven with references to mountains and nature throughout, so we also felt a draw and natural connection with MMR there. MMR’s geographical location also seems like a dream come true with Sweden being a major force in the heavier and slower side of metal. We look forward to working with MMR and can’t wait for our upcoming album to get out there and be heard.”
…MMR brings you the first single, ‘Azimuth’ and Deven Andersen, vocalist and guitarist of Elk Witch, comments:
“Azimuth is the title track and to me it holds the feeling and vibe we were really going for on the album. The lyrics of ‘Azimuth’ draw inspiration from a personal experience – a trip to the high desert in Eastern Oregon, a land of isolation with sparse population. It has an amazing blend of desert landscape with high peaked snow-covered mountains. I was thinking this is the place I would go if something happens to civilization.”
We’re super stoked to bring this chugging slice of the Oregon high desert stoner doom to life with the Majestic treatment, and we thank you for tuning in, turning on and riffing out with us. Stay tuned for all the juicy details and presage information to come.
Track list:
SIDE A
Dead Silence – 4:59
Azimuth– 6:00
Liminal Space – 1:32
Empyrean – 5:35
SIDE B
Vortex – 2:41
Universe 25 – 3:23
Space Drift – 4:01
Ghosts of the Lupatia – 5:05
Goddess of Winter – 4:36
Produced by: Elk Witch
Engineered by: Deven Andersen
Mixed by: Deven Andersen
Recorded & Mixed at Vortex Studios – Central Point, Oregon
Mastered by: Dan Coutant at Sun Room Audio – New Windsor, New York @srmmastering
Album Cover: Adam Burke @nightjarillustration
Gatefold Images: @Nibera and @Jadoarts
Gatefold Layout & Graphics: Deven Andersen
Elk Witch:
Deven Andersen ~ Guitar / Vocals
Darren Wostenberg ~ Bass
Joe Coitus ~ Drums
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