Greenseeker

Kenny Cotich

Nov 2

In the world of heavy, DIY music, few things are more exciting than a split album. It's an opportunity for two bands to showcase their distinct styles and bring their unique energy to the table. The latest split album from Electric Valley Records featuring Asteroid Witch and Greenseeker offers a collision of metal worlds that leaves an indelible mark on the listener. The split album is entitled Asteroid Witch/Greenseeker and further establishes Asteroid Witch and Greenseeker as straightforward, no bull shit rockers.

The best part of this split album is the similar yet different approaches to metal from both of these excellent artists. Their collective sound hovers around the mystical and spacey imagery conjured up in lyrics about magic and time travel while fuzzy guitars are heavily featured. Greenseeker provides more long form, jam out songs as their side of the album features two songs running at 9 minutes and 12 minutes respectively. Asteroid Witch is more song based and form driven, but their use of synths and chaotic moments of noise pad their already far-out sound.

The album kicks off with Asteroid Witch's ferocious contribution, setting the tone for the entire experience. "From Other Worlds" is a sonic slow-build toward an onslaught of chugging guitars, steady drumming, and distorted, trippy vocals. This track showcases their mastery of riffage and creates a spaced out atmosphere that's impossible to escape. "From Other Worlds" holds up to the namesake and puts the listener in a sludge filled, adventure filled soundscape.

Their side of the split album concludes with "Astral Projection" and offers more of the same excellent riffage and driving psychedelic, trippy metal. Asteroid With cite the stoner-rock/heavy psych riffing of bands like Fuzz, Nebula, Red Fang, and Sleep, but also the high-energy freakouts of bands like Hawkwind and Acid Mothers Temple as influences. Asteroid Witch features Dave on guitars and vocals, Sophia on synthesizers, Trevor on bass, and Eric on the drums. They formed in 2021 and continue to shred and transport audience members from across the Pacific Northwest into the stratosphere.

Greenseeker's section of the album takes the listener on a different sonic journey. "The Curse of the Black Cloud" dives headfirst into doom and sludge territories. The tempo slows, and the atmosphere becomes murky and foreboding. It's a masterclass in creating a sense of impending doom, with heavy, droning riffs that stick to your mind. Their side of the album concludes with "Devil's Grave Touch" and is an exquisite example of riff laden, doom rock. The vocals are restrained just enough and pair nicely with the steady tempo drumming and harmonized guitars.

Greenseeker formed in 2019 and features Max Siegfried on guitar, Selina Cleary on bass, Shea Gegan on drums, and Lauren Hatch on vocals and keys. These recordings are the bands follow up to their 2022 full-length album The Wish.

The split album between Asteroid Witch and Greenseeker is a powerful display of the versatility within the metal genre. Both bands bring their unique strengths to the table, creating an album that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish.

This album is a must-listen for metal enthusiasts who appreciate diversity within the genre. It showcases the range of emotions and musical landscapes that metal can explore, making it a testament to the genre's enduring and evolving nature. Whether you're into psychedelic jam rock or the murky depths of doom riffage, this split album has something for every metalhead to enjoy.

Asteroid Witch/Greenseeker is available to stream every via Electric Valley Records this Friday, November 3. Listen to Greenseeker's single here and Asteroid Witch's single here.

https://open.spotify.com/album/1WJB8T1WUY7OcHlkCpJmHW