Taking its name from a Danish fairy tale, Esben & The Witch weave sonic spells of dark power on their album debut Violet Cries. At first blush, the British trio might seem to be updating Siouxsie & The Banshees' goth-punk aesthetic in these tracks. But band members Fisher, Copeman and Rachel Davies establish their own identity through a rigorous use of astringent noise and a medieval-minded lyric sensibility. Davies' tormented, echo bathed vocal presence is surrounded by billowing clouds of feedback and throbbing electronic pulses that rise and recede to dramatic effect. iTunes review
11 years ago
12 years ago