Witch Mountain

Some mighty doom metal comes out of the state of Oregon and Portland's Witch Mountain are amongst its best purveyors. Much like Eugene's Yob, Witch Mountain display the genre's best qualities within their intense, hypnotic tracks, and their third full-length, Cauldron of the Wild, follows this path. The band have maintained their classically heavy sound even after their nearly ten-year hiatus, with 2011's South of Salem, carrying it forward with the new record, which is comprised of six exceptional tracks. "Beekeeper" in particular showcases vocalist Uta Plotkin's remarkable performance, as her operatic cries rise and fall, interweaving with guitarist Rob Wrong's slow, dense riffs. At just under 12 minutes, "Aurelia" is an epic doom opus, with Plotkin's incredible vocal range reaching new heights and the tension within the powerful guitar work and muddy bass lines building as the track progresses. It's easy to fall into Cauldron of the Wild, as it absorbs the listener's complete attention, making it a superior record that rivals Witch Mountain's 2001 debut, ...Come the Mountain.