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SASQWYTCH
Urth II

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 8/10

New Mexico’s Sasqwytch are interesting band. The press release describes them as being “arisen from the Ninth Circle of the Valles Caldera” and being a “tri-ape coven of wytches… equipped with tools of sonic destruction and inspired by death and doom”.

Urth II is the second full-length release from this cleverly named act, and I like the tone as they trundle through what I’d describe as doom-cum-stoner musicianship fused with black / death slurping vocal snaps.

There’s plenty of fuzz in the guitar and plenty of heaviness, but more importantly quite a bit of variety as the combo trudges through some intriguing songs such as ‘The Serpentine Whip’ which successfully joins death and doom metal. However, there’s an air of the original about these guys, something I can’t quite put my figure on and exhibited throughout.

‘Bistahieversor’ has a nostalgic thrash feel initially, then there’s a feel of bluesy psychedelia, all tainted by those muscular vocal chops. For the most part I get a feeling that if this had been released in the early 90s you’d probably see them on tour with White Zombie or clanking beer cans with Agony Column, because it has that peculiar satanic groove about it, yet there’s a strong thread of aggression and muscularity too.

Urth II is not bewildering or complex, and yet I find it hard to describe. ‘Grafted In Sinful Design’ has a strong, organic death metal feel; a primitive air and lumbering menace, a character which numerous South American bands possess. But with Sasqwytch there’s a general feel of mysticism, even with the thrashy groove of ‘Lizardeater’ with its swaggering percussion. And then there’s ‘River Of Giants’, another sneering, loping strange brew, while ‘Fanged God’ chugs with a hardcore menace. Yet at the other end of the spectrum we get a peculiar track such as ‘Ziggurat Of The New Arctic’ with its alternative, avant-garde percussion and angst.

I’ve dipped into this record several times now and just can’t pin it down, because although it’s in your face with its aggression it never reveals its identity. This is just a primal sound from the bowels of New Mexico, and while I can’t quite fathom it I’m at once repelled and compelled by its energy.

Neil Arnold

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