It's been a while since Kittie (the reigning ladies of Canadian metal) have released new material, but that doesn't mean they haven't been busy. Drummer Mercedes Lander, in particular, has been filling her time with other musical endeavours such as psychedelic rock band the Alcohollys and drumming on tour for Jennie Vee. Now, she's unveiled her latest project, called the White Swan, with a debut three-song EP, Anubis.
Featuring bassist Kira Longeuay (the Alcohollys) and guitarist Shane Jeffers, the trio play a sludgy, synth-rock-tinged style of crushing doom, which is a departure from Lander's previous work, particularly since she's also handling vocal duties. Anubis starts off with "Illuminate," which features fuzzy guitars and some synth weirdness that lead to massively heavy, Windhand-esque riffs. Next up is a cover of "Jet" by Paul McCartney & Wings, which seems like an odd choice, but the White Swan's slow and spacey rendition of the tune fits in perfectly with their gloomy yet atmospheric style. Final track "Blood" picks up the pace slightly, incorporating thick grooves and dark, dreamy tones.
The most striking aspect of the White Swan is Lander's gorgeous, soaring vocals, which are a focal point throughout the EP. Exceptionally heavy, yet elegant, Anubis is an unexpected, stunning debut, captivating to the point of eager anticipation for the next release.
(Independent)Featuring bassist Kira Longeuay (the Alcohollys) and guitarist Shane Jeffers, the trio play a sludgy, synth-rock-tinged style of crushing doom, which is a departure from Lander's previous work, particularly since she's also handling vocal duties. Anubis starts off with "Illuminate," which features fuzzy guitars and some synth weirdness that lead to massively heavy, Windhand-esque riffs. Next up is a cover of "Jet" by Paul McCartney & Wings, which seems like an odd choice, but the White Swan's slow and spacey rendition of the tune fits in perfectly with their gloomy yet atmospheric style. Final track "Blood" picks up the pace slightly, incorporating thick grooves and dark, dreamy tones.
The most striking aspect of the White Swan is Lander's gorgeous, soaring vocals, which are a focal point throughout the EP. Exceptionally heavy, yet elegant, Anubis is an unexpected, stunning debut, captivating to the point of eager anticipation for the next release.
