Interview conducted by: The Voiceless Apparition

​Some of you may be familiar with the name Blackwater Holylight, but some of you may not. For those uninitiated I will fill you in. Blackwater Holylight are a Heavy Psych/doom metal band from Portland, Oregon. They play a beautiful and melodious, but also heavy and doomy blend of psychedelic rock, shoegaze, dream pop, and doom metal. They are currently signed to the always incomparable Riding Easy Records, and have released two stellar albums so far. Their latest, Veils of Winter, was, in my opinion, one of the best albums of the past 5-10 years: an utter  masterpiece. Go check out that album if you haven't already.

I had the absolute privilege of speaking with founder and main songwriter Sunny Faris. We talked metal, the beauty of emotional music, their upcoming 3rd album, and so much more. I hope you all enjoy this interview. Cheers!

If ye haven't heard, we slumbering scribes are putting out a compilation album on Oct. 2nd! Sleeping Village Caravan Of Doom (Vol. 1) is an exhibition of like-minded tracks that balance sludgy heft with an earthy stoner atmosphere. These are songs that would feel at home in the midst of a bog or mire, and we’ve brought them together, drenched in murk and algae, for your gloomy enjoyment. Pre-order here for the measly price of $1! That, dear reader, is a bargain. 

In anticipation of the eminent release of Sleeping Village Record's inaugural compilation--a swampy collection of 10 previously released underground stoner doom tracks--we highfalutin peasants have invited the featured artists to our murky interrogation chamber for a chat. The first up is the estimable Bog Wizard, who bring up the rear of this compilation with the epic "Swamp Golem." If e'er there were a band to embody the murky and earthy vibe we've attempted to establish with this collection of tunes, Bog Wizard are surely it. Beyond that, however, we simply just like 'em a whole lot--check out our review of their debut From The Mire if yer looking for proof in that regard.

Before diving into the mire in question, I'd like to thank the boggy boys for agreeing to be part of this project, and for taking the time to answer my line of questioning. It's an honor and a privilege. Without further ado: 

We groggy-eyed scribes never did get around to writing a review for Bright Curse's latest, the undeniably impressive Time of the Healer. But if you take that to imply we didn't think it was a damn fine collection o’ tunes, you're dead wrong. Drinking deep from the well of 70's psychedelic and prog rock, Bright Curse nonetheless feels fresh--avoiding, gracefully, the stagnant waters in which so many of their peers flounder. Weaving intriguing instrumentation with a decidedly blues-ridden ambiance, Time of the Healer marks a strong step forward, and another feather in Ripple's cap.

Needless to say, we were tickled pink to chat with the outfit in question. Big thanks to Romain of Bright Curse for taking the time!
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Much like the horn'd horse blazoned on their assorted artwork, Spokane's Merlock constitute an intriguing beast. As we said back then, these guys peddle "a kind of caustic, trippy, and rough-around-the-edges stoner doom, and it lights a little fire in my heavy (metal) heart." Melding psychedelia with a distinctly hard-rockin' attitude, they impressed us Villagers with their 2018 demo EP, and we've been itching for more since our initial exposure. Luckily, as ye shall soon read, a debut full-length is in the works.

We'd like to thank Merlock for taking the time and energy to chat! As always, we're deeply honored that cool bands are willing to sit down and churn our such thoughtful answers. Read on!