Welcome to Demo:listen, your weekly peek into the future of underground extreme metal. Whether it’s death, black, doom, sludge, grind, thrash, -core, heavy, speed, punk-, stoner, etc., we’re here to bring you the latest demos from the newest bands. On this week’s Demo:listen we’re bewitched by Philadelphia’s newest doomsayers, Witching.
Witching‘s conception and birth happened relatively quickly. The quintet formed in the spring of 2017 as vocalist Jacqui Powell, guitarists Nate Bayletts and Lev Ziskind, drummer Miles Ziskind and bassist Tatiana Buonassisi. Powell explains that the members had known each other in some capacity, whether through family, music (Buonassisi also plays in Philly grinders Destruct Device), work or skating.
The first demo from Witching went online on November 5. Over the course of two songs, the band dwell in the sludgy end of doom metal, combining clean and screamed vocals with sludged-out stoner metal riffs.
First song “Baby Bird” is “is about survival and finding independence,” Powell tells Decibel. Second song “The Demon” is about battling OCD and intrusive thoughts, she explains.
“There is definitely rage that I am dealing with, and this band helps a lot,” she adds. As for the rest of Witching, Powell says the rest of the band finds inspiration in their day-to-day lives, also noting that it is important to her that Witching’s songs are open to interpretation and that listeners aren’t trapped by preconceived notions.
When asked about where the name Witching comes from, Powell is quick to point out that it has nothing to do with pointy hats and broomsticks.
“Most of the songs have something to do with perseverance and overcoming,” she states. “It’s about being the best version of yourself.”
If Witching has you under their spell with their killer, albeit too short, demo, worry not. Powell confirmed to Decibel that Witching are working on their debut EP to be released through also-Philly-based label Suicide Bong Records.
