WITCH - WITCH (2005)

To longtime G.O.M.E. guests, or anyone that's dug in the proverbial crates a bit, it'll come as no surprise that I am a huge fan of J Mascis and DINOSAUR JR. WITCH is J's doom metal side-project, though the term "doom metal" is obviously up for debate as it relates to this album. If Sabotage-era SABBATH and pre-Wino VITUS qualify, then WITCH fits the bill. The rub/gimmick here is that J supposedly subbed out his guitar duties in order to return to his original instrument: drums. Now this is mere speculation, but in my opinion, that was simply an attempt to put some distance between WITCH and J's work with DINO JR and THE FOG. I know for a fact that Asa Irons plays guitar live (with J on drums), but anybody with an ear for Mascis can hear him splitting duty with Irons on this album. For proof, one need look no further than the back-to-back guitar solos on the album's opener, "Seer". Singer Kyle Thomas contributes some guitar throughout the album, but again, Mascis' playing stands out, even amidst the chaos of this doomy free-jam atmosphere. As for Thomas's vocals, they're serviceable. He doesn't have a particularly strong voice, but J's mumbling and drawling howl certainly wouldn't work in this context. Highlights include "Black Saint" and the aforementioned "Seer", but the entire album is solid from start to finish.

1. Seer
2. Soul of Fire
3. Black Saint
4. Changing
5. Rip Van Winkle
6. Hand of Glory
7. Isadora

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