ninehertz

Druidess are proof that the UK doom scene is showing no signs of flagging, nor slowing up, and Trip Meadow can be seen as the canary down the doom mine – chipper, brightly plumed, whistling a tune and well and truly alive.

They have made impressions and friends wherever they have gone to date, whether through their joyous live shows or via their quality demo releases, but this album should propel them to a much-deserved wider audience. Newcastle is known for its scenes of esoteric experimentalism and drone, now rightly home to these more traditional doom sound which are no less exciting.

Not that Druidess are your common garden variety band of our genre – indeed the fact that they stand out from the crowd is what brings so much appeal here. The prominent organ is obviously key, but the pastoral occult themes and musical edges allow the songs to flourish. There are strong Blood Ceremony reminders throughout, maybe no more so than on the excellent opener The Hermit of Druid’s Temple, but that’s not the whole story either.

There’s the crypt-setting soundtrack feel of The Forest Witch’s Daughter, which adds a saxophone to the mix making it somehow feel even eerier, or the surprise light jazz beginnings to the title track that provide variance and a touch of flair. There’s a grandness and gravitas throughout which is hugely impressive for a debut.

It comes as no surprise to report that Trip Meadow is an excellent album, yet that didn’t dampen the thrill of hearing their potential realised at all. This is a band on the rise, beckoning you along on their trip.