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Witchcryer Premiere “I Rise!”; When Their Gods Come for You out Aug. 20

Posted in audiObelisk on June 8th, 2021 by JJ Koczan

Witchcryer

I’ll make this real, real easy for you. Austin, Texas’ Witchcryer release their new album, When Their Gods Come for You, on Aug. 20 through Ripple Music. The song premiering below is called “I Rise!” and it’s a burner. It’s got classic rock stomp to spare, attitude out the wazoo, and songwriting to back up the performances of its players. The vocals of Suzy Bravo feature alongside Jason Muxlow‘s guitar, impeccably mixed for an organic feel, but the weight of Marilyn Monroe‘s bass and Javi Moctezuma‘s drums is a grooving presence not to be understated. Across the span of the record, they move between hard-doom Sabbathian roll and Scorpions-style drive-at-night rightonnery — looking at you, “Nemesis, the Inevitable” — and in “Quetzalcoatl” alone, there’s enough swagger to carry the entirety of the record were it called upon to do so, which, guess what, it’s not.

But as an initial public offering from When Their Gods Come for You, they chose well in “I Rise!” even aside from the title’s inherent exclamatory excitement, but you should note, if they’d picked “Hellmouth” instead, I’d be sitting here praising the choice just the same for the low-end P-U-N-C-H of the bassline and severity of the still-melodic vocals. And if they’d gone with “Sisyphus (Holy Roller),” well, aside from the immediate points for cleverness, the clean, efficient and proto-metallic-but-modern-in-its-delivery Witchcryer When Their Gods Come for Youpath the track takes to its apex is an argument in favor of itself. Even opener “The Devil and the Deep Blue See,” though more atmospheric and serving as an intro to the record as a whole, would work. And of course any number of these or the rest of the tracks might show up between now and August, I’m just saying “I Rise!” is a standout among standouts. It represents Witchcryer‘s sophomore LP well in its sound and style — on the album, it leads into the purposeful stretch of the closing duo “Blackfoot Creation Story/Spirit Power” (7:38) and “When Their Gods Come for You” (7:34), which are the two broadest cuts included — but is by no means the sum-total of all they have to offer. You’re gonna want to be friends with it.

“I Rise!” has a guest appearance from Steve Colca from Destroyer of Light — speaking of underrated — in the chorus. The two are bandmates in Temple of Love and, even more crucially, married, and they complement each other well with Colca backing Bravo to add to the impact of the hook. And as you can see below, When Their Gods Come for You takes its lyrical foundation in a purposeful range of creation mythologies, and I’m not going to minimize the stories being told throughout — they are, after all, epics — but even the theme doesn’t outshine the songcraft, and Witchcryer‘s sound refuses to be bogged down by anything in the progression of the album’s 47 minutes. There are ebbs and swells, naturally, and the final two tracks reveal a deeper patience than anything prior, but even there, the songs move and are rife with intent and clarity of method. I feel I could go on, but you should probably just listen to the fucking song.

So do that. And if you want to know much, much more, there’s copious PR wire info below to dive into.

Album’s out Aug. 20. Witchcryer will be at RippleFest Texas 2021 on Aug. 7. More info on that via Facebook.

Enjoy:

Witchcryer on “I Rise!”:

“I Rise!” is first out the gate and it’s an uptempo stomper that tells of the resurrection of the vengeful mythological Greek Titan god Menoetius. Menoetius (“doomed might” in Greek) was known as a violent hot headed and prideful god. He was eventually struck down by Zeus with a bolt of lightning and banished to Tartarus. Menoetius was impetuous to the very end. In the song Menoetius returns from Tartarus threatening to destroy all humans and gods by harnessing the thunderous might of Zeus. Backing vocals in the chorus by Steve Colca from Destroyer of Light.

Preorder: https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/

Witchcryer was created by guitarist Jason Muxlow during his time with Chicago doom band, Earthen Grave (Ripple Records) and became his priority when he moved to Austin in early 2015. That summer, he began co-writing songs with drummer Javi Moctezuma and vocalist/lyricist Suzy Bravo joined the band later that year. The band’s demo, The Preying Kind was released that year to strong reviews.

With the final addition of San Antonio bassist Marilyn Monroe (Pillcrusher, Las Cruces), Witchcryer played its first show in April 2016.

In 2018, Witchcryer’s proper debut, Cry Witch was released on Ripple Records. Containing nine songs of classic doom produced by the band & Brant Sankey (recording & mix engineer). The band toured the Southern states with Italian doom band, Messa, made their way north to Chicago on their own later in the year, and played regularly throughout Texas.

In the fall of 2019, the band headed back to producer Brant Sankey’s new Studio E facility in San Antonio to begin working on the new album. Basic tracks were cut in two days. Guitars, vocals, and guest appearances were recorded between shows all the way up to the start of the pandemic, with the final mix and master delivered in the early months of 2021. This time out, the sound is bigger, grander, and more epic, and the band covers far more musical ground, leaning into their rock and metal roots with special guest vocals by doom metal vocalists Gary Rosas (Ungrieved, Mala Suerte) and Steve Colca (Destroyer of Light).

“Their Gods Will Come For You” is a conceptual album that features songs about gods across various ages of civilization throughout time. The album starts with “Devil & The Deep Blue See,” a Faustian tale of a damned soul swallowed whole by an apocalyptic leviathan, Hellmouth and the narrator’s attempt to fight for their life by climbing out of the fish’s mouth. The album continues with the song “Hellmouth” in which the narrator is now the Anglo-Saxon depicted demon fish itself. The album continues with songs about mythological Greek gods and titans with their tales of pride and punishment, a Mesoamerican sun deity that teaches its doomed warrior people to fly, a Roman goddess seeking justice for crimes against women, the tale of the Blackfoot creation god, and then the title track, “When Their Gods Come For You”. The title track comes full circle proclaiming that if one does not stand up for what they believe in, someone else will do the believing and choosing for them.

The album will include a digital download of a digital mythological book to accompany the concept of the album with album lyrics and artwork from artists that contributed their renderings of each god featured in the album. Artists include; David Paul Seymour for drawing “I Rise!”, John Michael Bowley for “Hellmouth”, Daniel Augustus Marschner for drawing “Nemesis, the Inevitable”, Gerardo Quetzatl Garcia for “Quetzatlcoatl”, and cover artist, Kyle Otto.

“On a personal note. This is the album that I’ve been writing in my head my entire life. When I was about 7 years old in 1983, my grandmother took me to the Aztec theatre in San Antonio to see a double feature of “Hercules” starring Lou Ferrigno and “Clash of the Titans”. I fell in love with Greek mythology and stories about these mighty gods. I would obsess over encyclopedias around the house and find every book I could about gods from every religion. I became a Jehovah Witness by myself when I was about 8 or 9. I used to read my yellow “Children’s Book of Bible Stories” and recite every story to memory. I’ll never forget how dazzled I was by the illustrations. I became a Christian when I was 11 years old all by myself. I would go to churches by myself and even got baptized by myself. I knew that whoever I wanted to be, I had to figure it out by myself. In high school I briefly got into Buddhism and then a teacher loan me a book called, “If You Meet the Buddha On the Road, Kill Him”. I was taken aback and was offended by the title. But, when I read the book, the book taught me that it was okay to question religious hierarchies. This is a very personal album, but I’m not trying to tell anyone what to believe in. Overall, the album is just my chance to tell a bunch of great stories with great illustrations.” -Suzy Bravo

Witchcryer are:
Suzy Bravo – vocals, lyrics
Jason Muxlow – guitar
Marilyn Monroe – bass
Javi Moctezuma – drums

Witchcryer website

Witchcryer on Bandcamp

Witchcryer on Facebook

Witchcryer on Instagram

Ripple Music on Facebook

Ripple Music on Instagram

Ripple Music on Bandcamp

Ripple Music website

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Shadow Woods Metal Fest V Makes First Lineup Announcement

Posted in Whathaveyou on May 7th, 2021 by JJ Koczan

Shadow Woods Metal Fest V banner

Two days, part-outdoors, everybody vaxxed, the Shadow Woods Metal Fest continues to push aesthetic forward while doing so in plague-safe fashion. Shadow Woods Metal Fest V brings campers, cabin-renters and whoever else can find a place to stay together in celebration of anti-genre noisemaking of the sort that might put Borracho and Panopticon on the bill together because screw it life is short and see everything you can while you can. Two days here, really a day and a half, and this might be the last time the fest is held. 200 acres out in the woods. Who could argue? Ever?

Righteous in purpose and execution, fest organizer Mary Spiro sent the following down the PR wire:

Shadow Woods Metal Fest V poster

Panopticon to headline Shadow Woods Metal Fest V

The fifth edition of Shadow Woods Metal Fest (also sometimes simply SWMF or Shadow Woods Music Fest, since it’s not all metal music) will happen Aug 27-29, 2021 in White Hall, Maryland. Bands announced so far include Panopticon, Destroyer of Light, Borracho, Neolithic, Voarm, Witchcryer, Traitor, Altar and the Bull, and Queen Wolf with about 10 more acts to be confirmed.

Tickets may be found on Eventbrite: https://shadowwoods2021.eventbrite.com

Performance times will be Friday between 6 pm and 11 pm and Saturday between noon and 11 pm. There are no bands on Sunday. Although not officially announced, it is has been rumored that ticket sales will be cut off August 13 and no ticket will be sold at the gate. So, plan ahead.

The fest will take place at its traditional location, Camp Hidden Valley, a wooded, 200-acre property about 45 minutes north of Baltimore that hosts everything from weddings to children’s summer camps. There will be two covered stages – one outdoors and one inside the venue’s large, well-ventilated dining hall. This is the layout used during the 2018 fest – the last time the fest was held. Attendees may drive from home, camp, or stay in nearby hotels or private rentals. Most cabin options are already sold out.

Organizers are taking COVID-19 precautions seriously. There will be emergency medical techs and rapid COVID testing available throughout the weekend. They have issued this statement to attendees:

Masking, hand washing, and physical distancing protocols will be in effect during the fest. At this time, we are asking that every participant be fully vaccinated two weeks prior (by August 13) and show your vaccination card upon entry. We are working with an organization to have rapid COVID testing available onsite for a low fee at entry. If anyone tests positive for COVID or has any indicative symptoms such as a fever, coughing, chills, extreme fatigue, etc., we ask that you STAY HOME or leave the fest immediately, even if it is last minute. Everyone will be required to sign the typical camp liability waiver that we have used every year, but it will also include additional language related to COVID. We will be following all the federal and local recommended protocols and guidelines for COVID safety. All this is subject to change based on the current situation with the pandemic

Event organizer M. A. Spiro said that this really will be the last time she will do the fest, although she has admittedly said that before. “This last year without live music has been brutal on everyone and economically devastating,” she said. “I hope people come out for it. The bands need it. The fans need it. The production people need it. But one thing I learned after this last year is that I personally do not have to be the one to do these events any more. It’s a ton of work, a lot of risk financially and emotionally, and I am just not interested in carrying that mantle forward any longer. I would love it if someone created a new camping music fest nearby that I could go to and enjoy. But Shadow Woods as people have come to know it will be laid to rest after 2021. I might continue to do smaller shows in brick-and-mortar venues, but that remains to be seen since we really are not there yet with those locations.”

https://www.facebook.com/events/962682497420440
https://facebook.com/shadowwoodsmetalfest/
https://www.instagram.com/shadow.woods.metal.fest/

Panopticon, …And Again into the Light (2021)

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RippleFest Texas 2021 Announced for Aug. 7; Void Vator, Thunder Horse, Switchblade Jesus, Witchcryer, Holy Death Trio and Bone Church Confirmed

Posted in Whathaveyou on April 29th, 2021 by JJ Koczan

ripplefest texas 2021 banner crop

This is an in-person event. Feels weird even saying that, but also refreshing in a way. Set for Aug. 7 at the Texas Ski Ranch in New Braunfels — between San Antonio and Austin, if you’re looking to fly in — the upcoming RippleFest Texas 2021 purports to be the first in an ongoing annual series, and that’s a hell of a time to make a debut. Early, but I have no doubt they’ll get people out for it. Shit, I’d go.

The first lineup announcement — more to come, reportedly — brings Void VatorBone ChurchWitchcryerHoly Death TrioThunder Horse and Switchblade Jesus to the bill, and leaves plenty of room for speculation on others. Of course, Texas is awash in bands, now as ever. Would Mothership headline in a triumphant return? What about the more recent offshoot of that band and Destroyer of LightTemple of Love who premiered a Deep Purple cover here not so long ago? That’d be a cool first gig, even if they’re not signed to Ripple (yet).

Like I said, lots of room for speculation. One way or another, though, I know a party when I see one, and this looks like a party. Not sure I’d bring a swimsuit — pandemic beach body? that’s a hard pass — but I’d definitely bring earplugs enough to share.

Lick of My Spoon Productions, which is co-hosting, put up the announcement that follows. Tickets are available now:

ripplefest texas 2021 poster

FIRST LIST OF BANDS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 1ST ANNUAL RIPPLEFEST TEXAS!!!

Void Vator, Bone Church, Witchcryer, Holy Death Trio, Thunder Horse, and Switchblade Jesus!!!

This is only the first announcement and MANY more bands to be announced soon. Bring a swimsuit and swim on the beach at Texas Ski Ranch while listening to music from the hottest label in the business: Ripple Music!

Tickets are available through the link on the FB page. Tickets: www.outhousetickets.com/Event/m17387-Ripplefest_Texas

Get yours now as more bands will be announced because it WILL SELL OUT!

https://www.facebook.com/events/293941965680685
https://www.facebook.com/LOMSProductions/
https://www.facebook.com/theripplemusic/
https://www.instagram.com/ripplemusic/
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/
http://www.ripple-music.com/

Thunder Horse, Chosen One (2021)

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The Obelisk Presents: Heavy Mash 2018, Oct. 13 in Arlington, TX

Posted in The Obelisk Presents on June 20th, 2018 by JJ Koczan

heavy mash 2018 poster

After being fortunate enough to have been asked last year, there was no way I wasn’t going to be up for having The Obelisk on board to present Heavy Mash 2018. The second edition of the Arlington, Texas-based festival will take place on Oct. 13 and feature a full day and a full lineup of all-killer heavy rock, doom, psych and whatnot, with Austin-dwellers Duel as the headliners on the heels of their 2017 sophomore album, Witchbanger (review here). In fact, when fest organizer Mark Kitchens — also of Stone Machine Electric — brought up the issue recently, my only question was whether the awesome frog from last year’s poster would make a return. To the benefit of all humanity, you can see clearly above that it has.

Duel sit atop the lineup with Californian imports Great Electric Quest and Dallas’ Mountain of Smoke, whose second album, Gods of Biomechanics, will be out July 7 and is an absolute crusher. As it turns out, Great Electric Quest are the only non-Texas band on the bill, as amid the roster of DoomstressStone Machine ElectricSwitchblade JesusOrthodox FuzzGypsy Sun RevivalWitchcryer and Dead Hawke, there isn’t one group that doesn’t call the Lone Star State home. I guess that’s what happens when the place you’re from is awash in creativity and, uh, huge. Just ask California.

The geographic theme at play only makes Heavy Mash 2018 more special, since Texas’ heavy underground is nothing if not worth highlighting, and no doubt at least some of the acts will have shared stages in the past, making it all the more of a party at Division Brewing, which once again will host the event and seems to just be asking for trouble in so doing. So much riffs. So much beer. I hope they have a good mop for afterward.

Get your ass to Texas:

The Obelisk Presents: Heavy Mash 2018

Oct 13 at 1 PM

Division Brewing
506 E Main St, Arlington, Texas 76010

After last year’s successful event, we are pleased to announce this year’s Heavy Mash! Once again, our great friend Wade hosts this event at Division Brewing in Arlington, TX on October 13th, 2018.

Nothing but heavy music and great beer! Here is this year’s line-up:

DUEL – 11pm
Great Electric Quest – 10pm
Mountain of Smoke – 9pm
Doomstress – 8pm
Stone Machine Electric – 7pm
Switchblade Jesus – 6pm
Orthodox Fuzz – 5pm
Witchcryer – 4pm
Gypsy Sun Revival – 3pm
DEAD HAWKE – 2pm

Duel, Witchbanger (2017)

Heavy Mash 2018 event page

Heavy Mash on Thee Facebooks

Division Brewing website

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Witchcryer Sign to Ripple Music; Cry Witch Due in January; Tour Dates Announced

Posted in Whathaveyou on October 9th, 2017 by JJ Koczan

witchcryer

Austin, Texas, doom rockers Witchcryer have signed a deal to release their debut album, Cry Witch, via Ripple Music on Jan. 19. To herald the full-length’s arrival in the New Year, the four-piece will head out on a Midwestern tour this month brandishing new material onstage and keeping significant company as they join forces with the likes of Astral MassAttalla and Bible of the Devil along the way. The shows are booked by Heavy Friends, and start on Friday, so if you find yourself in their path, keep an eye out.

Witchcryer’s three-song The Preying Kind – Demo MMXVI was released last year as their first outing and can be streamed below in full. The PR wire has more information and gets bonus points here for making a Pillcrusher reference. There’s a name I’ve not heard in a long, long time.

Dig:

witchcryer tour

Witchcryer sign to Ripple Music and Announce new album and “CRY WITCH” FALL 2017 MIDWEST U.S. TOUR

Ripple Music is proud to welcome WITCHCRYER? to their growing roster of the best heavy psych, stoner and doom bands on the planet. Witchcryer are a 4-piece old-school doom metal band as indebted to the heavy rock muscle of Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, and Blue Oyster Cult as their doom descendants Witchfinder General, Trouble, and St. Vitus. Their mix of influences puts emphasis on strong riffs, memorable hooks and dynamic strong structures.

Based in Austin, Texas, Witchcryer was created by guitarist Jason Muxlow during his time with Chicago doom band, Earthen Grave (Ripple Music). The band became his priority when he moved to Austin in early 2015 and began co-writing songs with drummer Javi Moctezuma. “The Preying Kind” demo was recorded and released after vocalist/lyricist, Suzy Bravo joined the band later that year.

With the final addition of San Antonio bassist Marilyn Monroe (Pillcrusher, ex-Las Cruces), Witchcryer played its first show in April 2016.

Now, Witchcryer joins with the force that is Ripple Music to release their debut album, “Cry Witch”, due to drop world-wide on January 19th. About their recent signing to Ripple, guitarist Jason Muxlow says, “Witchcryer is beyond stoked to be joining the Ripple family! We can’t wait to get “Cry Witch” out in the world and tear some people new eardrums.”

In support of the upcoming album, Witchcryer will hit the road with tour dates across the midwest.

WITCHCRYER “CRY WITCH” FALL 2017 MIDWEST U.S. TOUR
Friday October 13th San Angelo, TX, Deadhorse w/ Dezorah
Saturday October 14th Dallas, TX, Double Wide w/ Hint of Death & Orcanaut
Sunday October 15th Little Rock, AR, Sonic Temple TBA
Monday October 16th Louisville, KY, ighlands Tap Room w/ Potslammer
Tuesday October 17th Indianapolis, IN, Black Circle Brewing Co. w/ Astral Mass
Wednesday October 18th Madison, WI, The Frequency w/ Bob Log III & Roboman
Thursday October 19th Milwaukee, WI, Cactus Club w/ Galactic Hatchet & Attalla
Friday October 20th Hamtramck, MI, New Dodge Lounge w/ The Watchers, Iron Mountain, TBA
Saturday October 21st Chicago, IL, Livewire Lounge w/ Bible of the Devil, Arriver, & Reivers

https://www.facebook.com/witchcryer/
https://witchcryer.bandcamp.com/releases
http://www.ripple-music.com
https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/theripplemusic/

Witchcryer, The Preying Kind – Demo MMXVI (2016)

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