The Bell Witch is an infamous legend that is said to have originated in the early 19th century in Tennessee, United States. This legend revolves around the haunting of the Bell family by a malevolent spirit known as the Bell Witch. The story of the Bell Witch has captivated people's imaginations for generations, inspiring countless books, films, and even a heavy metal band known as Bell Witch Metallum. According to legend, the haunting began in the year 1817 when strange occurrences started happening in the home of John Bell Sr. and his family. It is said that the spirit initially focused its attention on John and his daughter, Betsy, before tormenting the rest of the family.

Bell Witch

Country of origin: United States Location: Seattle, Washington Status: Active Formed in: 2010 Genre: Funeral Doom Metal Themes: Suffering, Pain, Death, Ghosts Current label: Profound Lore Records Years active: 2010-present

Compilation appearances:
- "I Wait" on Doomed & Stoned in Washington (Doomed & Stoned Records, digital, February 2016)

• Complete lineup
• Current lineup
• Past members
• Live musicians

Bell witch metallum

Clicking on the affiliate links above may result in this site earning a commission on purchases. Learn more

Engineered at Avast Recording Studios.
Mixed at Flora.
Mastered at Traxworx.

Barcode (on sticker): 8 43563 16283 5

The Bell Witch

While being something of an interlude immediately following Mercyful Fate’s triumphant return in “In The Shadows”, just before the departure of original bassist Timi “Grabber” Hansen, “The Bell Witch” offers a fairly rare insight into a band whose theatrical aesthetics are the stuff of legends. It is not an altogether common thing to be able to come into possession of a live performance by this band in audio form, let alone video form, unless the name of the game is bootlegs. In this respect, one might be tempted to look at this as a shameless cash grab by Metal Blade, but the contents of this speaks for itself.

One of the things that always separated the archaic tendencies of Mercyful Fate from King Diamond’s more cinema-like solo offerings is the duality of nobility and humility in its presentation. Overindulgence in complex vocal choirs and overdubbed guitar harmonies are not to be found, even in the times of greater technology that were the 90s. King and company have no need for an overblown sound, and it shows through in spite of the band’s inherent grandeur in both “The Bell Witch” and “Is That You, Melissa”, displaying a plain heavy metal aesthetic alongside heartfelt melodies and a poetic (as opposed to storyteller narration) operatic performance from the King.

In keeping with the fact that the 2 studio songs are also found in reunion studio offering “In The Shadows”, the live offerings performed by 4/5s of the original beast that put Denmark on the map are a much greater point of interest. Though I did not have the pleasure of beholding the earliest performances of this band (and what 5 year old wouldn’t want to be scared half to death by Melissa’s skull), and no official recordings of them have been released, I would venture to guess that the near flawless and crystal clear renderings of “Curse Of The Pharaohs” and “Come To The Sabbath” do this band’s early 80s stage legacy justice. Likewise, the colossal speed metal fury that is “Egypt” rivals its studio incarnation in energy and drama.

While only a smattering of live songs are a tough sell for throwing green at an EP, this is one of those cases where any self-respecting fan of classy early 80s metal needs to make an exception. With no other official live material to brag of, this band’s 1994 interlude before “Time” which could almost be considered a promo for “In The Shadows” after the fact, is obligatory. Though it will likely not warrant the same amount of ritual hearings as the first two studio albums, or even the third one, this is very fit for adorning any collection containing any or all of those releases.

Bell witch metallum

Bell Witch > Future's Shadow Part 1: The Clandestine Gate > 2023, 2 12" vinyls, Profound Lore Records (Limited edition, 10 colors)

Clicking on the affiliate links above may result in this site earning a commission on purchases. Learn more

Pressing info:
- 200 copies on dark blue vinyl with silver orb
- 200 copies on clear vinyl with red marble
- 200 copies on eco mix vinyl
- 200 copies on red vinyl with black galaxy effect
- 300 copies on color mix vinyl with purple splatter
- 300 copies on shimmering gold vinyl
- 300 copies on red vinyl with marble and splatter
- 200 copies on aquatic blue vinyl with splatter
- 200 copies on dark blue/red mix vinyl
- Black vinyl

Engineered at Avast Recording Studios.
Mixed at Flora.
Mastered at Traxworx.

Barcode (Sticker on protective sleeve): 843563162804

It is said that the spirit initially focused its attention on John and his daughter, Betsy, before tormenting the rest of the family. The Bell Witch was known for its ability to communicate with the family members, often engaging in conversations and even reciting Bible verses. The paranormal activity associated with the Bell Witch included strange noises, knocking, scratching, and even physical attacks.

The spirit purportedly had the ability to manifest itself in various forms, including that of a dog, a rabbit, and even a black bird. It was believed to have the power to move objects, create eerie sounds, and play tricks on the family. The haunting of the Bell family lasted for several years, eventually leading to the death of John Bell in 1820. It is said that the Bell Witch took credit for his demise, claiming to have poisoned him. After John's death, the activity subsided, and the Bell Witch disappeared, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to fascinate and frighten people for years to come. In recent years, the legend of the Bell Witch has influenced various forms of media, including music. Bell Witch Metallum is an American doom metal band that takes its name from the infamous spirit. The band, formed in 2010, incorporates elements of funeral doom, drone, and atmospheric metal into their music. Their dark and atmospheric soundscapes are said to reflect the eerie and haunting nature of the Bell Witch legend. Through their music, Bell Witch Metallum aims to explore themes of darkness, despair, and the unknown, creating an immersive and engrossing experience for their listeners. Their albums, such as "Longing" and "Mirror Reaper," have received critical acclaim for their atmospheric sound and emotional depth. In summary, the Bell Witch Metallum is a doom metal band that takes inspiration from the infamous Bell Witch legend. This legend, centered around the haunting of the Bell family in the early 19th century, has captured the imagination of people for generations. Whether it is through the retelling of the legend or the evocative music of Bell Witch Metallum, the story of the Bell Witch continues to intrigue and terrify audiences today..

Reviews for "Bell Witch's Metallum Reign: From the Depths of Despair"

- Sarah - 1 star

I really did not enjoy "Bell witch metallum". The album was extremely repetitive and lacked any memorable melodies or hooks. The vocals were also very monotonous and uninspiring. Overall, it felt like a very bland and uninspired release from Bell witch. I was really disappointed and would not recommend it to others.

- Mark - 2 stars

I have mixed feelings about "Bell witch metallum". While I appreciate the atmospheric and moody elements of the album, I felt that it was overly long and dragged on. The songs didn't seem to have a clear direction and it was difficult to engage with the music. It had some interesting ideas, but ultimately fell short for me.

- Emily - 2.5 stars

"Bell witch metallum" didn't quite hit the mark for me. The production quality was lacking and the album sounded muddy and poorly mixed. I also found the song structures to be repetitive and lacking variation. While there were some promising moments, overall it felt like an average release that failed to leave a lasting impression.

Metallum's Enigmatic Entity: Decoding Bell Witch