witchstone

Since their early beginnings as a trio of old friends in late 2011, the psychedelic doom band WITCHSTONE has played through several mutations of members and sound to become the group they are now. After a small time spent planting their roots and playing together, members – Sean Edwards (Guitar/Vox), Andrew Sanderson (Bass/Vox) and Grant Cooper (drums) invited friend Dylan Hommer to layer in some heavier riffs on guitar. With a promising louder and thicker sound the band quickly began riffing through material to self-release a 4 song EP recorded in the bedroom of guitarist Sean. With the recordings fresh of the press in Feb 2012 they slammed together some handmade album covers and headed on tour with good friends Chron Goblin for some true gigging experience.

With a hazy recollection of a good time on the road, Witchstone returned with more cosmic ambitions to develop their sound. Sonic layering of distortion, wah and interstellar sounds from newly added space-man Brian Wennerstrom on keys, Witchstone’s compositions began to take shape as longer more rhythmic tracks. After playing several shows with heavy local bands during the summer months, the band lost drummer Grant to his original project Nok Novum and Brian to future endeavors. With their final show being the band’s biggest of all, a slot opening for Boris at Sled Island Music Festival, the remaining members were left with an unforgettable high and time to contemplate their next journey.

With shifting tides within the band they decided to play a couple of one-off shows with their old friend Brett Whittingham from Chron Goblin, before Dylan decided moved out to the west coast. Having a fistful of new material and only 2 original members remaining Sean & Andrew were left searching for new converts. The two they found were Marcello Castronuavo (drums) & Ian Lemke (Guitar c/o thrash band Blackrat). With a bit of time to rehash old material and redefine the new jams, the band has ascended to a towering state, returning heavier and more mind-altering than before.