Year: 2026
Label: self-released
Is the New Wave of Traditional Doom Metal still a thing? Probably to some extent, though not as much as in the heyday of Reverend Bizarre and the many who trod in their footsteps. It is, after all, almost 20 years – my, how time does fly! – since aforementioned Finnish resurrectors of traditional doom put down their instruments and called it a day.
But the river’s not run dry completely. There are still new believers in the heavy riff and the slow tempo. One of these is Finnish Drowning Witch, whose debut release I came across entirely by accident. It’s a self-released digital thing – in other words, what in ye olde days would have been called a demo.
This trio from the capital area wear their influences on their sleeves. Of course, as with all doom metal, Black Sabbath is but a step away. But most of all, these guys sound like they’ve overdosed on aforementioned Reverend Bizarre. Which isn’t surprising, considering the grand role the legendary Finns had in the revitalization of doom metal.
In the case of Drowning Witch, this means slow songs with rather monotonous, straightforward drumwork, heavy and rather simple riffs, and foreboding vocals. It does kind of sound like an early demo, mostly in its lack of own character. Musically, this is a bit rudimentary, without much flourish, flair or groove. And a wee bit clumsy at times, too. Especially the drummer’s timing seems to waver a bit here and there.
The fact that this is pretty bare bones and uncomplicated isn’t actually a bad thing. It’s a large part of why I like this demo. Its stripped down, simple music played in a rather heavy-handed, hammering, brickwall fashion brings out all the elements I like in doom metal. Drowning Witch sounds like an arid plain under a heavy, overcast sky with ominous, imposingly majestic, bare mountains in the distance. This sounds epic in the same way an 80’s swords & sorcery movie is epic: in a somewhat clumsy, but earnest and surprisingly captivating fashion.
The best track of the demo, Orphans Of Doom taps into this fully. It is, of course, a reference to Thulsa Doom and Conan, invoking both the classic movie and Robert E. Howard. It’s slow riffs, played with a tungsten level heavy hand, and the creepingly slow vocal melody evoke decidedly howardian imagery of monolithic cliffs, barbarian warlords and dreadful mysteries within mountains – in other words, that atavistic, primordial, fanciful but still undeniable call of a more primitive age of sword and magic.
It’s all very smack dab in the middle of every doom cliché out there, of course. You’d be hard pressed to find an original idea, note or compositional decision on this demo. In that sense, Drowning Witch have quite some way to go before they’re more than a pale shadow of the bands they borrow from. Or steal, if you want to be cynical.
On the other hand, despite the utter lack of originality, I find myself really liking this demo for what it is. It’s derivative and it’s a bit clumsy. But it’s got heart, it’s got a nice sort of rough around the edges epic atmosphere to it. And it’s got potential.
I don’t care if Drowning Witch never lose their heavy-handed, slightly jerky playing. I don’t care if they don’t ever write more complex songs than this. In fact, I rather hope they don’t lose this primitive edge. A bit more of an unique touch, that’s all I’m asking for. Something in their sound to distinguish them from everyone else. That’s all I want.
Only Death Is Real 