WITCH
Paralyzed

Much to-do was made when Witch released its self-titled debut album in 2006. “It’s J Mascis’ metal band,” said the to-do-makers. “And he’s playing drums.” While Witch may have been more metallic than fans of Dinosaur Jr were used to, on Paralyzed, Witch makes it very clear the sonic milieu in which the band is operating. Sounding like Steel Pole Bath Tub, the more psychedelic (and slightly psychotic) influence of guitarist/vocalist Kyle Thomas (also of psych/folk outfit Feathers) bears down heavily on this decidedly un-heavy album. Though awash in noisy guitars and hammered-upon drums, Paralyzed is aggressive and loud but far from beholden to the tenets of true metal. Chunky power chords are replaced with meandering fits of phase-drenched spazz-fuzz, while headbanging rhythms are eschewed in favor of a pummeling, forceful drum attack. Add a production aesthetic that favors muddled noise above propulsive clarity, and the result may not be metal, but it’s nonetheless evil in its own way. [Tee Pee, www.teepeerecords.com]

—Jason Ferguson