Frayle’s debut EP sounds like what would happen if Chelsea Wolfe took the
plunge into full on doom metal. Vocalist Gwyn Strang doesn’t quite share
Wolfe’s vulnerability, but her delivery is just as hypnotic, boasting a
mysterious aura that is strengthened by the dreamlike filter.
Multi-instrumentalist Sean Bilovecky’s monolithic chords and sparse drumming
provides a similarly haunting atmosphere though the results feel more like
Triptykon’s slower moments than anything off Hiss Spun.
Thankfully the Cleveland duo has some strong chemistry and a very balanced dynamic. Despite the compositions’ relative simplicity, the drones never feel like they’re merely there to serve the vocals and the vocals are integrated deeply in the mix without being drowned out by everything else going on. It’s a setup that seems easy to screw up and I’d be quite curious to see how it sounds in the live environment.
The White Witch’s lack of songwriting variety is the only real nitpick I have for it. It’s certainly not a deal breaker with this being four songs and all, but it would’ve been great to see even more dynamic contrasts and pulsating rhythms. I imagine this will be addressed on a proper full-length album and there are excellent songs on here in the meantime. “Let the Darkness In” starts things off on a creepy yet welcoming note while “Things That Make Us Bleed” features the EP’s most striking hooks.
Overall, Frayle’s debut EP is a strong sampler of what to expect on a proper full-length album. The somewhat derivative sound makes the duo feel like yet another entry in the exponentially growing “soft female vocals over droning riffs” niche, but their chemistry goes above and beyond most of their peers. It’s the kind of release that one listens to with the expectation of further expansion but it’s good enough for fans of this style to appreciate on its own terms.
Highlights:
“Let the Darkness In”
“Things That Make Us Bleed”
Final Grade: B
Thankfully the Cleveland duo has some strong chemistry and a very balanced dynamic. Despite the compositions’ relative simplicity, the drones never feel like they’re merely there to serve the vocals and the vocals are integrated deeply in the mix without being drowned out by everything else going on. It’s a setup that seems easy to screw up and I’d be quite curious to see how it sounds in the live environment.
The White Witch’s lack of songwriting variety is the only real nitpick I have for it. It’s certainly not a deal breaker with this being four songs and all, but it would’ve been great to see even more dynamic contrasts and pulsating rhythms. I imagine this will be addressed on a proper full-length album and there are excellent songs on here in the meantime. “Let the Darkness In” starts things off on a creepy yet welcoming note while “Things That Make Us Bleed” features the EP’s most striking hooks.
Overall, Frayle’s debut EP is a strong sampler of what to expect on a proper full-length album. The somewhat derivative sound makes the duo feel like yet another entry in the exponentially growing “soft female vocals over droning riffs” niche, but their chemistry goes above and beyond most of their peers. It’s the kind of release that one listens to with the expectation of further expansion but it’s good enough for fans of this style to appreciate on its own terms.
Highlights:
“Let the Darkness In”
“Things That Make Us Bleed”
Final Grade: B
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