The debut collaboration album from doom metal giants
Bell Witch and Aerial Ruin (the solo folk project of
singer / songwriter Erik Moggridge), under the moniker
of Stygian Bough is a culmination of the work of both
artists as witnessed previously on Bell Witch’s three fulllength albums, where Moggrdige has contributed guest
vocals. With each succeeding Bell Witch release, one has
seen Moggridge’s involvement with the band developing,
growing and getting more elaborate. This release, produced
by Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Wolves In The Throne Room,
Anna Von Hausswolff), follows up Bell Witch’s colossal
Mirror Reaper opus with Moggrdige actually being involved
in the creative and writing process with the band duo of
Dylan Desmond (bass / vocals) and Jesse Shreibman
(drums / synthesizers / vocals). Not only does Stygian
Bough expand and broaden this alliance between the artists,
but with Aerial Ruin contributing to the songwriting of this
dedicated collaboration and incorporating his signature
and alluring style of emotionally-driven folk, along with
taking the lead vocal position, adding to the band’s caliber
of unearthly towering doom, this album becomes its own
singular, unparalleled doom metal entity.