Woe was created in early 2007 to create potent black metal. Originally intended as nothing more than a casual experiment, it quickly changed from bedroom black metal project to the primary musical force in its creators life. No drum machines, no corpse paint, no Renaissance Faire speak, no fake names, no lies. Honest, dark black metal, faithful to tradition without spewing clichés.Woe plays agressive, hypnotic black metal with themes of ritual satanism, elitism, and loss. The first full-length, “A Spell for the Death of Man” was released in 2008.
Current line-up
Xos (Chris Grigg) - All Instruments, Vocals (Algol (US), Near Dark (US), Veerungaar, Mose Giganticus, Unrest (US), The Green Evening Requiem)
Live members :
Matt Moore - Guitar (Rumpelstiltskin Grinder, XXX Maniak, Solace in the Shadows, Armageddon, Evil Divine)
Shane Madden - Bass (The Green Evening Requiem)
G. Czapla (aka Gunslut) - Live Session Drums (Infernal Stronghold, Everwinter)
Review Quote:
Written by YggdrasilinBlight on August 10th, 2008
Lost in a wind of thorns and petals, debut full length from USBM act Woe, “A Spell for the Death of Man,” has so much emotion cut in, that it’s hard to believe it all comes from one person. Xos is the asphyxiated soul behind all instruments and vocals. Woe strums the sound of loss and determination to reach an end, depressing as you reluctantly breathe in the odor of raw, atmospheric black metal with an underlying scent of originality. Once you hear them, these tunes will find a new home blasting through your stereo.
The first pill bottle opened is the largest, bordering nine minutes long. “Solitude” contains a melancholic guitar, catalyst to hollow riffs digging deeper and deeper until morphing into a haze of instrumentation and throat destroying screams. Some headbanging swagger makes an entrance as the song’s many textures rise and fall. “Alone with Our Failures” begins with less melancholy and more attitude as you journey further into the ruptured mind of Xos, whose yelling/shrieking vocals, seem to progress in desperation throughout the album. “Condemned as Pray” is aggressive and Xos’ cries are very lifting and raw. This song gives you the feeling of being trapped in a dark shed, gagged and bound amongst shadows, forced to get into the mindset of a predator to survive. Woe's inspiration of the choking grip of an overpopulation of mindless beings and empty shells is felt strongly. Next method of self-harm “No Civilization,” is full of passion. From its very first moment, a cascading guitar streams over. This fire burns for just under eight minutes. The guitars and vocals are certainly the key pieces of the music and give each track a sullen passion. The lonely haze of “Memento Mori” is a refreshing way to end as it’s different from the rest of the album. Everything moves much slower and just fades away into the black.
Woe is an unique experience, being suicidal black metal that still embraces a very moving groove. Supremely intense, “A Spell for the Death of Man” is an atmospheric beast, birthed by the unstoppable force of Xos’ skill. This is the light being shined straight into your eyes as you enter a catatonic state and a must have album for everyone who craves a fix of depraved black metal and isn’t afraid to have their soul vitiated.
After talking to chris from Woe we have agreed to add his links and notes to this torrent for anyone that wish's to support the band via a donation to the cause. this is again a support them that support us situation and i wish that everyone who contacts us from bands was as pleasant to talk to and as amiable and understanding of the situation. they are offering a great deal for those that like what they do and wish to support them so they can make future albums and keep them going. so checkout their site/links below \m/
http://www.last.fm/label/subvert+all+media - full stream http://www.woeunholy.com - pay-what-you-want link on the intro page, entire Woe discography available, DRM-free, high res MP3s with high res scans of the artwork. All money goes directly into recording and travel costs!
/ XBTT (1) by Dejavu