Bell Witch

Bell Witch is a seminal funeral doom duo from Seattle, Washington, consisting of bassist Dylan Desmond and drummer Jesse Shreibman. Since their formation in 2010, they have redefined the boundaries of extreme metal by stripping the genre down to its skeletal essentials: bass and drums.

Their sound is characterized by extremely slow tempos, melodic six-string bass work that often mimics the role of a lead guitar, and a profound focus on themes of mortality and the afterlife. The band's trajectory was deeply impacted by the death of founding drummer Adrian Guerra, an event that directly informed the composition of their 2017 masterpiece, Mirror Reaper. This album, a single continuous track, solidified their status as leaders in the avant-garde metal scene. Critically, they are praised for their ability to maintain tension over immense durations and for their innovative use of the bass guitar. Their collaboration with Aerial Ruin on the Stygian Bough series further expanded their palette into dark folk territories, showcasing a versatility that maintains their core identity of heavy, contemplative sorrow.