Longing (Bell Witch album) cover

Longing (Bell Witch album)

Bell Witch · 2012

67 min · 6 tracks · doom metal

A haunting fusion of slow, melancholic riffs and ethereal vocals that envelops the listener in a dense atmosphere of despair.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Bails (of Flesh) — This opening track sets a somber tone with its extended runtime and immersive soundscapes, showcasing the band's ability to blend heaviness with melancholy.
  • →
    Longing (The River of Ash) — The title track encapsulates the essence of the album with its slow build and atmospheric layers, reflecting themes of longing and loss.
  • →
    I Wait — This piece exemplifies the band's signature style, balancing crushing riffs with haunting melodies that explore themes of patience and yearning.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's lengthy compositions and atmospheric depth create a unique experience within doom metal.

What we noticed

  • The album features two lengthy tracks that each exceed ten minutes, allowing for extended development of musical themes.
  • Vocal harmonies are layered over slow, heavy riffs, creating a dense atmosphere that shifts between despair and introspection.
  • The final track serves as an outro, gradually fading out with minimal instrumentation, which emphasizes the album's melancholic tone.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Bails (of Flesh) 20:41
  • 2 Rows (of Endless Waves) 13:01
  • 3 Longing (The River of Ash) 12:05
  • 4 Beneath the Mask 5:54
  • 5 I Wait 12:24
  • 6 Outro 3:27

What to play next

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata