All Them Witches
Dying Surfer Meets His Maker


4.0
excellent

Review

by PsychicChris USER (593 Reviews)
November 30th, 2015 | 19 replies


Release Date: 2015 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The Americana elements set them apart from most of their stoner rock peers and the fusing of heavy and mellow sounds is tailor-made for zoning out.

It becomes clear right off the bat that the third full-length album by Nashville’s All Them Witches is much more mellow than the spaced out Zeppelin rock of their previous efforts. The ever-present Americana atmosphere opts for a more singer-songwriter angle this time around as tracks like the opening “Call Me Star” and “Open Passageways” feature a slew of acoustic guitar, marching drum beats that invoke bleak farmlands, and dabs of harmonica for good measure. The results generally play out like something Mark Lanegan would put together.

Of course, the band hasn’t forsaken their association with the stoner rock scene. The fuzzy guitar and Bonham-inspired drum pounding on tracks like “El Centro” and “Blood And Sand/Milk And Endless Waters” seem to be cut from the same cloth as the tangents that made up A Sweet Release earlier this year. Lead single “Dirt Preachers” similarly stands out as it builds on a couple bass driven riffs before drawing things back out towards the end.

With these two sides to consider, it is a relief that they never feel at odds with one another. On the contrary, they have a symbiotic operation and flow in and out of each other smoothly. The heavier moments allow things to build dynamically and the more contemplative atmosphere gives the music a conceptual outlook that would be otherwise absent in a sea of wankery.

Unfortunately, the looseness can also mean that the actual songwriting sometimes isn’t as developed as it could be. This isn’t the sort of music that calls for catchy hooks but the free flowing nature isn’t as conductive to truly monumental riffs as something more straightforward. The gripping musicianship makes this observation easy to overlook but the album would highly benefit from a greater statement of purpose.

Overall, Dying Surfer Meets His Maker may be the most interesting effort that All Them Witches has offered thus far. The Americana elements set them apart from most of their stoner rock peers and the fusing of heavy and mellow sounds is tailor-made for zoning out. One can hope for greater attention to songwriting on future efforts but this could very well be a grower.

Highlights:
“Call Me Star”
“This Is Where It Falls Apart”
“Open Passageways”
“Blood And Sand/Milk And Endless Waters”



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user ratings (129)
3.9
excellent

Comments:Add a Comment 
SharkTooth
November 30th 2015


14937 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Yay, I don't need to review this now!

Mad.
November 30th 2015


4917 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Ahh yes, listening to this now. It's brilliant



Defo agree with what you're saying here, their most varied / interesting album by far

Mad.
May 11th 2016


4917 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Such a good band, how does this have only 2 comments!?

SharkTooth
May 11th 2016


14937 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

at least it has 37 ratings, but yeah needs more discussion

MikeC26
July 16th 2016


3381 Comments


Seeing these guys this weekend.

magicuba
August 26th 2016


1447 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

super mellow

Mad.
August 28th 2016


4917 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

This Is Where It Falls Apart is killer

magicuba
August 29th 2016


1447 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

also the official videos are very nice

Mad.
October 21st 2016


4917 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

This band is underrated as fuck

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
May 9th 2017


32219 Comments


I'll say it here because no one has reviewed the new album yet, but yeah.

The new album is good shit.

Mad.
May 9th 2017


4917 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

fo sho man Bulls is dank

Cubacabra
August 2nd 2018


68 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

New song out. I like the part where he counts to 16.

Dewinged
Staff Reviewer
August 2nd 2018


32219 Comments


Another one? Damn these guys are busy.

Mad.
September 28th 2018


4917 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

New one out today bois

Deathconscious
September 28th 2018


27515 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Only heard their debut, i should really catch up.

Mad.
September 30th 2018


4917 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

Damn boi this one / Lighting at the Door are essential

Deathconscious
October 4th 2018


27515 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

fuck, this is awesome.

Mad.
October 5th 2018


4917 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

yea boi



From what I've heard of the new one it's not so great :/

DDDeftoneDDD
December 9th 2019


22867 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

buzzing bass in El Centro is damn sweet



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