Monday, September 30, 2024

Gothtober - Wicca Phase Springs Eternal :"Midnight as the Castle Moorlands"






Here is an interesting projectug that is not as dark as what we think of dark wave being. However, some moments make me think if Cold Cave had more of a lo-fi indie pop feel, they might sound like this project. The opening track was catchy enough to real me in, so let's see how the rest of this album holds up. The second song is not as dark. It's moody in a more detached austic manner. It's more hopeful where the first song had an unsettled quality lurking in the shadows.  He is still singing about medieval themes with pseudo-mystical leanings. This does have its own charm. 

"Pure Fields" does have a more mute emotional feel, that leans in a more depressed direction. If Ian Curtis had gone on to form New Order they might have sounded more like this. The beat change get on this song was unexpected. There are moments of experimental ambiance that are a nice touch. The guitar is strummed to the forefront of " I Know the Raven".  This folk turn is not as stark as say Death in June, but works well enough. "I Choose You" is a piano ballad of sorts that works well enough 

The next slapper as the kids call them is "My Name is the Endless Night". It has more groove to it. It is also darker, but this album is dark in the same way John Vanderslice touched on more sullen feelings. But where Vanderslice was cutting with his honesty it feels like this guy uses the whole mystical moors as a vehicle to process feelings in a detached proxy. The last song "Venti Iced Americano" brings things up to 2024, though it's more introspective like he forgot to take his meds.  I will give this album a 9. 




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