Witnesses – Joy

Pegah

“Suppose that pleasure and pain are so intertwined that whoever wants as much as possible of the one must also have as much as possible of the other – that whoever wants to know ‘rejoicing to heaven’ must be prepared for ‘grieving onto death’ as well?“

― Friedrich Nietzsche

Joy is the latest album by Witnesses, a US-based Doom Metal band often associated with Post-Metal. The album’s standout feature is its clean vocals, setting it apart from typical Doom Metal releases. Here, Joy is not only the album’s title but also the central theme of its lyrics. According to song writer Greg Schwan, the album, particularly its opening track, draws inspiration from Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy on the meaning of joy. Other recurring themes include spiritual freedom, liberation, emancipation, and self-affirmation, which are also reflected in the album’s cover art.

The cover art is a surreal composition—my favorite type of visual art—signaling a multi-layered experience ahead. The Sleeping Woman is derived from a neoclassical painting by Natale Schiavoni, titled The Sleep of Innocence. The doves and white flowers symbolize purity, innocence, and peace, while the butterfly represents love, freedom, and beauty. These elements harmonize with the serene figure of the young woman. Meanwhile, the silkworm symbolizes the cycle of life: birth, death, and the soul’s eventual transcendence. Together, they convey that all these emotions and states of being reside within us.

The journey begins with “Joy (Like a River)”, which opens softly, like a gentle stream leading to Neverland. Simon Bibby’s emotionally charged vocals soon take over, resonating deeply with the listener. To me, this track feels like a celebration of birth and life. Nietzsche’s philosophy comes to mind here—he advocated for the pursuit of joy rather than fleeting happiness, viewing joy as a holistic perspective on life, encompassing both its highs and lows. “Joy (I See Everything)” picks up the pace, seemingly narrating an existence beyond death and the continuation of life in another realm. “Joy (Beyond the Sound of My Voice)” begins with a powerful intro, reinforcing the theme of physical death and spiritual transcendence.

Next is the “Interlude”, which divides the album into two distinct parts. The second half opens with “Joy (The Endings)”, a track that evokes a sense of finality, especially as it slows dramatically midway through. Finally, “Joy (Safety in Me)” stands apart with its distinct atmosphere, music, and vocals. It even incorporates elements of Death Metal. The track’s title and its closing moments suggest a sense of spiritual safety and ultimate liberation.

Overall, I found Joy to be an exceptional album, offering a fresh take on Doom Metal. I highly recommend it to fans of Tool and A Perfect Circle that want to expand their reach to Doom. It’s not your typical Doom Metal experience, but sometimes it’s worth taking risks to explore the profound depths of joy.

Label: Self-released‬ (I think?)

Release date: 8 November, 2024

Website: https://www.facebook.com/witnesses.nyc

Country: USA

Score: 4.0/5.0 that’s it!