It’s officially the season of the witch, as Scottish singer-songwriter Eve emerges with her new project, Wytchwound, with the self-titled EP Wycthwound, a dark grunge-folk sound that builds in power and weaves through stories in each track, evoking an Evanescence meets Ethel Cain.
Beginning as a research project into the Fife witch trials, Wytchwound was inspired to tell these women’s stories and give them a voice for their silenced rage and retribution. Releasing independently in line with Beltane (a Celtic celebration of the beginning of summer and renewal) and produced by Cam Hunter (North Atlas), Wytchwound has lit a fire for these historic figures that burns with an unmitigated fury.
‘Chasing Whispers’ leads us in with faint cries in the background of the ones we left behind, abruptly giving way to a sombre guitar riff before Wytchwound’s haunting vocals break through. It begins as a folk ballad, deceptively switching pace and genre to a grunge feel with sweeping vocals and mounting drum beats. The opening track is a testament to the histories we’ve lost, but it almost embodies that inner grief and anger people feel when they learn about dark parts of history – the question of why don’t more people know about it and why was it ever allowed. The angst of knowing we can’t change these women’s fates, we can only keep their histories alive. And this is just the beginning of Wytchwound.
The EP is a devastating journey through women’s history, that’s either been lost to time or turned into a mockery by an age-old patriarchy. It brings to light lesser known stories but from the perspective of the women and witches, giving them their due justice in the form of solemn lyrics and spoken word overlaying a darkly genre-blended sound that showcases Wytchwound’s vocal range and emotional breadth. The first track to be teased ‘Don’t Make Me…’, inspired by Margaret Atkin, “the Great Witch of Balwearie”, begins similarly to ‘Chasing Whispers’ in its chord progression, before crashing in with thundering beats and bass lines, while Wytchwound’s voice soars.
Spoken poems ‘At What Cost’ and ‘Put On A Show’ speaks of the inhumane torture suffered by those in the witch trials, stepping back from a furious musical number to deliver a stark delivery of emotion and indisputable fact.
‘Edge of Never’ explores how persecuted Issobell Kelloch may have spent her final night in paralysing fear and despair, the distorted, heavy bass and guitar adding weight to her fear and the questions never answered for her. ‘Lilias Adie’ takes a different approach from the rest of the EP, a tribute to Lilias who, even under extreme torment, refused to condemn anyone else to the same fate. It comes with a brighter melody as testament to her resilience and sense of unity, the epitome of an accused woman holding her head high while facing her inevitable end. ‘No Rest For The Wicked’ is a scathing spotlight on those who allowed these persecutions and torment to happen to such a degree, ironically pointing the finger back at them and demanding they face their sins.
Closing out this poignant gothic-folk EP, ‘The Itch’ is a bittersweet release of “lay you to rest, let you find peace”, over tender acoustic guitar, that suddenly explodes with bass and a heavy kick drum beat, before abruptly descending back into melancholic vocals. It’s a final message from Wytchwound to the witches lost to time – you will not be forgotten again.
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