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Genre: Alternative

Esben And The Witch: Violet Cries, Matador.

Fairly or unfairly, goth is considered something of a pariah in the more – how can I put this delicately? – refined music circles. There are, of course, the more ‘socially acceptable’ brands within the genre. Bands like Siouxie & The Banshees, The Cure and now, Esben & The Witch.

The Brighton trio, led by Rachel Davies and her lilting, rather eerie voice, are going a long way towards putting the ‘respectable’ back in goth. Judging by their last album release, Violet Cries, I can see why.

From the perfectly-paced intro of Argyria (alternately soothing, sinister and sensual) to the undeniably creepy The Marching Song (watch the video here – it’s a masterpiece that blends the artistic with the horrific) and the insistent quasi-desperation in Light Streams, the trio nail the sound to just the right side of goth.

Moody ambience, echoing guitar chords and suitably dark vocals are present aplenty... but no cheese, which means that Violet Cries will go down well not only with the committed goths but also with those who enjoy a bit of edge and experimentation with their rock sound.

The album contains a number of memorable tracks. Starting with The Marching Song, arguably the strongest track on the album but by no means the only winner. I found myself particularly attracted to track 9, Eumenides – the title is, of course a reference to the Greek tragedy starring Oreste’s ill-advised matricide and the torment he’s made to suffer in consequence. With a deceptively soft and slow introduction, it suddenly metamorphs into an angry, sometimes intentionally discordant, cacophony that does bring to mind the Furies from the title.

Chorea, the sixth track on the album is another disturbing entry, taking the listener on a series of weird and unexpectedly peaceful plateaux interspersed by Davies’s urgent and plaintive cries. The track culminates on a crescendo of eerie exhortations, with an abrupt ending that leaves you wondering what hit you.

The rest of the tracks – the evocative Warpath, the oddly lulling Swans, the super-sinister Hexagons IV – are all interesting. Comparisons have been made between Siouxsie Sioux’s distinctive voice and that of Davies. I could say that Esben & The Witch are a dreamier version of Siouxsie & The Banshees and it would be true – but it would also be unfair. The trio managed to imbue what is a rather awkward genre with their own definite identity and Violet Cries seals their claim with 10 tracks that you will find yourself returning to.

Esben & The Witch will be performing during the Nil by Mouth sessions on October 5 and 6 at V-Gen, Paceville.