Artist: Cavern Witch
Title: Through The Twisted Trees
Type: EP
Label: Digital / Sokol Keep
I suspect with a physical release now available via Sokol Keep (and already sold out), this debut by Cavern Witch released digitally in March 2025 is going to have a second and possibly much larger round of praise. When I realised at least one of my absolute favourite places of information had already covered it (yesterday) I did consider if I was adding anything with my tiny little blog thoughts. But then I realised I’ve been living this album for three days now to the exclusion of all other new dungeon synth (and indeed other music) and surely if I’m doing anything here in the Liminal Space it’s sharing a little love. And a little more never goes amiss.
You will also note at the foot of the review I have included the story behind the music as in this case I thought it worthwhile – taken from Bandcamp. It lays the land and the tale but as ever your imagination is the only mark of its borders.
Firstly another outstanding cover by Jennifer Fain, full of drama and story.
‘Vanslade’ is the mining village where our tale begins. Immediately I am struck by the rich sound of Cavern Witch. The music, though gentle, brings to mind a background of mist but the notes are sharp, metallic even, the tap of hammer on stone perhaps? An echon suggesting tunnels and that beautiful, awe evoking layer of synth which makes me realise the age of this place.
Age offers beauty, but also things which perhaps might best be forgotten.
‘Grave Essence’ has a gorgeous almost scratchy record sound, a violin long laid to rest. A slow and quiet waltz of shadows ensues and realised with extraordinary skill. ‘Mist’ closes in, cutting us off with slow grey synth sounds. Eventually a drum joins and then we know we are truly in another place. The heroine’s ‘Rosabella’ in contrast has a beauty and grace, soft harp sounds, plucked by dexstrous but gentle fingers, the sweet draw of strings backing it and the tinkle of chimes. But then enters something other. A dark and shimmering sound, lower in tone seemingly stealing around us every closer.
‘Into The Circle’ has a curious dance motion to it; careful but determined but the lilting sound has something akin to excitement to its light steps into the woods.
We close with ‘Moonlit Corridors’. From the first touches of light a slow presence steps around the shadows. The light we see, pale and delicate in the piano sounds can no longer dispel the dark synth sounds and the almost subliminal choral sounds. A handful of simple notes and…
Silence.
Every time I reach this I sit in the quiet for a while, letting the thoughts drift around me. Is this an ending? It feels not. A darkness met, a handful passed but the quest has still to reach its fulfilment? Or maybe it is me just wanting more.
There is something spectacular in Cavern Witch’s debut. Not in the loud and epic sense of fanfares, the grand band bent this way and that by the Maestro, but it in the skilful intricate detailing of such a short and quiet thing. This is the exquisite work of an engraver or lace-maker producing something of wonder and balance and inspiration. This is a rare talent indeed. Partake.
Gizmo
https://cavernwitch.bandcamp.com/album/through-the-twisted-trees
https://sokolkeep.bandcamp.com/album/cavernwitch-through-the-twisted-trees
From Cavern Witch: ‘Eyraske and Rosabella are siblings hailing from the morose mining village of Venslade, located just north of the town of Hillsvort, where the only road from Venslade leads. The mines of Venslade are notorious for harboring vile imps, goblins, and other nightmarish creatures, yet they are also a treasure trove of silver and the potent magical element Enfvar. This precious resource fuels the torches that illuminate the village’s perimeter, casting a protective glow that wards off malevolent forces. Surrounding Venslade is Circle Forest, a realm even more perilous, where unspeakable horrors lurk in the shadows.
When Eyraske and Rosabella were infants their father perished in the mines when imps got to one of the mine’s lifting cables. Three years later Rosabella was playing in the cemetery when she heard a trancing melody emitting from the forest. She squeezed through a breach in the wall into the Outer Circle. Eyraske saw his sister as she crawled through the wall and called for help. Their mother Ida demanded the gates be opened and ran after Rosabella who was covered in a black mist and floating though the trees, Eyraske followed his mother, the gatesman called for Eyraske to return but he did not look back. No one else dared venture into the Circle. Ida managed to grab Rosabella and rip her out of the mist, but then they were surrounded by fanged beasts. Ida struck down three of the beasts with her sword before she was overwhelmed. Eyraske grabbed Rosabella’s hand “Run” Ida exclaimed as she was torn down. The children ran back to the gates to the sound of snapping jaws and cracking bones.
Years later Rosabella visited her parents grave as she did daily to leave flowers. She still blamed herself for her mother’s death. As she sat next to the grave clutching the flowers and thinking back to that day, she heard that same melody coming from the trees. Her eyes rolled back, the black mist enshrined her as she levitated over the wall and through the forest.
Eyraske who just finished his shift in the mines where he had to be as skilled with his blade as his pick, heard commotion outside. When he learnt of the news he grabbed his sword and cloak and ventured into the Circle, following the trail of petals falling from the grave flowers… ‘
Walking The Liminal Space 