Witch house, also known as saiem inside, is a subgenre of electronic music that emerged in the late 2000s. It blends elements of various genres such as darkwave, post-punk, industrial, and hip hop, resulting in a unique and eerie sound. The term "witch house" was coined by Travis Egedy, a musician from Denver, Colorado, who described the music as a combination of "witches and rave culture." Witch house is characterized by its dark and atmospheric nature, with heavy use of reverb, distortion, and lo-fi production techniques. The vocals are often muffled and buried beneath layers of effects, adding to the cryptic and mysterious feel of the music. The lyrics often touch on themes of occultism, paranoia, and spiritualism, further enhancing the haunting atmosphere.
The entrance to the house is in the back, in a tiny gift shop where the tickets are purchased. The first room you enter on the tour is the kitchen. It is a large sparse room with a huge fireplace that takes up almost an entire wall of the kitchen. The fireplace has a large iron pot hanging in it and what appears to be the remnants of a brick oven on the back wall of the fireplace.
Despite the fact that I go to Salem often and have walked past the Witch House many times, I ve never been inside and decided to take a tour recently to give it a review. The tours are self-guided, but I recommend leaving at least 30-45 minutes in your schedule to make the most of this home, especially during peak season.
The lyrics often touch on themes of occultism, paranoia, and spiritualism, further enhancing the haunting atmosphere. Saiem inside, on the other hand, refers to a specific sound within the witch house subgenre. It is characterized by its heavy use of samples from Eastern European folk music, particularly from countries like Romania and Ukraine.
The Witch House
Salem sits on the coast of Massachusetts just north of Boston. While rich in maritime history, that is not what Salem is remembered for in the history books. Salem is home to the Salem Witch Trials which occurred in 1692-1693. While Salem was not the only location in the United States that executed suspected “witches,” these trials became the most famous and forever changed the history of Salem, also known today as “Witch City”.
Present day Salem does not tell the full story of the Salem Witch Trials. In 1692, Salem was comprised of Salem Town (present day Salem), and Salem Village (present day Danvers). Danvers officially broke off from Salem in 1752, changing its name and obscuring its historical attachments to the Salem Witch Trials. Today, most associate the witch trials with just Salem, but the accusations and hysteria started in Salem Village (Danvers) with the unexplained afflictions of Betty Parris and Abigail Williams. The girls, ages 12 and 9, along with the village physician, would claim their afflictions were the result of witchcraft. They would name their first three victims of the Salem Witch Trials too: Tituba (The Parris’s slave), Sarah Goode (an outcast of Salem), and Sarah Osbourne (an older, ill woman). By Spring of 1692, the Salem Witch Trials were in full swing.
Around 200 people would be accused of witchcraft, and then 20 executed. Unlike the witch trials in Europe, the Salem Witch Trials never burned the accused. Instead, 19 were hanged at Proctor’s Ledge, which was located in Salem Town; one was pressed to death. A few died in prison while waiting their fate. Two men were at the center of the accusations and ultimately, some death sentences: Jonathan Corwin served as a judge along with John Hathorne. Corwin and Hathorne’s role as judges in the trials would end in October of 1692 when Governor Phipps established a Special Court of Oyer (to hear the trials) and Terminer (to make a decision). The Corwin family history in Salem dates back to 1638, arriving as merchants. Jonathan eventually worked his way up and move into the house now known as the “Witch House” in 1674. The house is located in present day Salem and has become a historic home and museum. The house received its nickname due to it being the only structure in Salem that one can visit with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials.
Salem is a very popular destination during Fall, especially during October, which is of no surprise given that we associate witches with spooky things and Halloween. Historically, the Witch Trials have nothing to do with Halloween. On the outside, the house is rather magnificent given the age, but has a certain eeriness in both structure and history. If you visit, it is recommended you buy your tickets in advance, especially during Fall. Tickets are $9 for adults and $6 for kids ages 6-14.
When you walk into the house, suddenly it seems less foreboding. You realize a family comprised of a husband, wife, and their children once lived here. The rooms are beautiful like most historic homes are. The museum has curated the space to include era appropriate furniture, décor, and accessories. As you tour the rooms, areas are roped off for the protection of the antiques, while information about the era is available to read, including some about the superstitions and medical practices during Salem in the 1690’s. The Corwin House provides an idea on what it was like to live in early America, of course the Corwin’s were a well to do family so represent a small portion of life back then. Nonetheless, this historic home is a window into a time period we can rarely touch today. I know for me, it provided additional insight as most historical homes I’ve toured were at least from the 18th century.
Family Table PHOTOGRAPH BY Larisa Moran Main bedroom PHOTOGRAPH BY Larisa Moran
The tours are self-guided, but I recommend leaving at least 30-45 minutes in your schedule to make the most of this home, especially during peak season. There is a small gift shop that provides the usual knick-knacks as well as interesting replicas or items used in Salem in late 1600’s. The staff is often dressed in period appropriate clothing which adds to atmosphere and are very knowledgeable in the history of Salem. The house can get crowded, so watch your step between rooms, and up/down staircases. For those unable to go upstairs, there are photos that you can view, just ask a staff member and they would be happy to provide photos and explain the items and history on the second floor.
Loom PHOTOGRAPH BY Larisa Moran Furnishings in the lower level PHOTOGRAPH BY Larisa Moran
For those who watched the network series Salem, a replica of the house is used as a focal point in the show. The Witch House has remained an important piece of American history and in pop-culture. While there are other museums in Salem that focus on the witch history, this is the only true historic museum with real artifacts. The museum does not focus so much on the history of the Salem Witch Trials, but rather what it was like to live during that time. https://www.thewitchhouse.org/
To experience the full history of the Salem Witch Trials, I recommend visiting the Witch House, the various historical locations in Salem, as well as Danvers. Both Salem and Danvers outline the historical importance of various locations to include memorials. As a bonus, if you would like to add on to your visit another historic home that is loosely tied to the Witch Trials, then be sure to visit the House of the Seven Gables in Salem. While this historic home focuses on Nathaniel Hawthorne and his book The House of the Seven Gables, it is worth noting that Nathaniel Hawthorne is the great-great-grandson of John Hathorne, the other judge who served alongside Corwin. It is speculated that Nathaniel Hawthorne added the W to his last name to disassociate from his family’s past.
Larisa Moran
Larisa Moran is passionate about engaging more people with history. You’ll find her on Instagram (@History_Dame1776) where she delivers “history in under a minute,” and as a volunteer organizer at History Camps around the country. She’s also a regional editor for The History List. Larisa has a Master’s in Public Administration from George Mason University.
These samples are often manipulated to create a disorienting and otherworldly effect. The inclusion of these folk elements adds a sense of ritual and ancient mysticism to the music, resulting in a captivating and transcendent experience for the listener. Witch house and saiem inside have gained a cult following and have become synonymous with the underground music scene. Despite its niche appeal, the genre has influenced other genres such as trap, pop, and even mainstream electronic music. Artists like oOoOO, Salem, and Crystal Castles are some of the prominent figures in the witch house movement. In conclusion, witch house and saiem inside are unique and intriguing subgenres of electronic music. Their dark and atmospheric soundscapes, combined with elements of occultism and ancient folk music, create a captivating and eerie experience for listeners. While not as mainstream as other genres, witch house continues to thrive in the underground music scene and has left a lasting impact on electronic music as a whole..
Reviews for "Witch House Salem Inside: A Journey through Salem's Haunted Past"
1. Ethan - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Witch House Saiem Inside". The plot was extremely predictable and lacked any originality. The scares were cheap and didn't offer anything new to the horror genre. The acting was also subpar, with the characters delivering their lines without any emotion or conviction. Overall, I found this film to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a genuinely terrifying horror movie.
2. Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch House Saiem Inside", but it fell flat for me. The storyline was confusing and poorly executed, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters and their plight. The jumpscares were ineffective and relied too heavily on loud noises and sudden movements. Additionally, the visual effects were underwhelming and didn't contribute to the overall eerie atmosphere the movie attempted to create. It's a shame because with better writing and direction, this could have been a great horror film.
3. Jessica - 2.5 stars
I'm a big fan of horror movies, but "Witch House Saiem Inside" didn't meet my expectations. The pacing was off, with long periods of nothing happening followed by sudden bursts of action that didn't make much sense. The characters were underdeveloped, and I didn't feel invested in their survival. The cinematography was lackluster, and the film relied too heavily on jump scares rather than building genuine tension. Overall, it was a forgettable horror movie that didn't offer anything new or memorable to the genre.