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Here is a band that takes itself very seriously. Named after a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, the band are often compared to the Banshees. It's easy to see why as the vocals and doomy atmospheres are a lot like them. They really need someone with the pop sensibilities of a Robert Smith to kick them onto greater things! I saw the Banshees live very early on and I think this lot have more potential.
I recently had the pleasure of catching Esben And The Witch band live. They are stunning, and if you get the chance, don't pass up on it. They perform as a 3-piece with a solitary drum. Pretentious as hell, but thoroughly entertaining. You will have to check out YouTube to get a feel. Catch them while they are still a cult as they could become massive.
The album "Violet Cries" is very good, almost essential but maybe not as captivating as one of the gigs (or indeed the live bootlegs I have heard). Stand out tracks are "Eumenides" and "Marching Song". The sound is thinner than I would have liked and in marked contrast to the gothy sludge of their live shows. The album comes as one of those ghastly digipacks where you can see the blobs of glue under the transparent disc tray. Come on Matador, you can do better than this! I have taken to keeping my copy of the CD in a jewel case with the sticker from the shrink wrap on.
As often these days, there was a deluxe edition with extra tracks. I have missed out on this, as it has now sold out, but the main album is probably all you need at this stage. Most of the album can be heard at the band's myspace site:
http://www.myspace.com/esbenandthewitch
A vinyl version of the album is also available from the band's website at:
This is a band on the verge of greatness.
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