Witchstone
Mortal Fear Of Infinity
(Self-Release)
While there is the ever-present aura of doom coming off the guitars in Mortal Fear Of Infinity, Witchstone has also been able to create a resounding rock ‘n’ roll jam that is all powerful. While the album is down to four tracks, it clocks in just around the thirty-minute mark; within that time the band is able to create an effective atmosphere that uses that aura of doom, yet hits like rock ‘n’ roll. These elements come together for a terrific record that hits and grooves from beginning to end with emotion and excitement.
Instrumentals play the prominent role throughout the album, with vocals being balanced in the right places. Witchstone could have very well made a grade A work solely based off instrumentals alone, for they are spectacular. There is a sort of Sleep and Electric Wizard vibe to be found (while the band here leans more towards the latter). There isn’t anything wrong with the vocals to be clear, it is just that the instrumentals in all their effects really add the chunk of greatness to this record.
“The Voidmouth” takes its time to build up, easing its way into a comfortable rhythm. Eventually guitars pick up, and hit with an early evening sunset darkness to the track. Reverb hits with the high guitar and drumming that picks up just as slowly, making for an emotionally dragging delivery (and that’s a dragging in all the best ways). Coming after with “Chronoshift”, things go back to slowing down while introducing some psychedelic twists. Great waves with vocal wails make for a woozy time in the mid-section of the song; and while the beginning starts out slow, towards the end it does one hell of switch and goes full on rock jam. In the beginning of “Estuaries”, things come off as a lighter version of the opening track. Halfway through we get some darker vocals for the first time around, with some darker notes to bring in that sunset heft and aura. Closing with “Maniac Of Dane Hills” was a terrific idea, for the track embodies what makes the record as a whole great. Its minimal opening shudders away with a thunderous guitar and the return of darkened vocals. Combining electric moments to go with the darker notes and vocals help influence the doom effect that has so strongly been present since the beginning.
The only fault to be found in Mortal Fear Of Infinity is that it is so enjoyable, it could easily get away with being longer. While some records can fall into the trap of dragging their atmosphere or structure, Witchstone really does a stupendous job in musicianship, creating hit after hit. Not simply just balancing all its elements together, but also knowing how to have each one depend on the other and meld together. At times it is solid rock ‘n’ roll that throws in psychedelic traits, Witchstone’s Mortal Fear Of Infinity overall is a delightful and strong doom record that everyone will be able to enjoy.
