The Best Band in Louisiana is Withering Light
Back in August we asked you to help us find the best unsigned bands in America. After listening to hundreds of submissions, we finally narrowed down our pick for the most gumbo-est state in the union. The best band in Louisiana is Withering Light.
Withering Light hail from Hammond, LA. Ever been to Louisiana? I have, recently. All of the grim decay depicted in popular media like True Detective and Tremé isn’t the product of a fastidiously organized set; the state is in ruins. It seems the entire mass of Louisiana was frozen in time decades ago and then immediately aged to life. Poverty and suffering are endemic in the area. This isn’t meant to be a knock on the state; the food is good, the people are (mostly) good, and the culture is unique. But true darkness exists in this Southern body.
When we talk about metal in Louisiana we generally mention the slow, Southern sludge of Crowbar, Thou, or any number of bands featuring Papa Phil Anselmo. Fronted by vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Troy Bennett, Withering Light is a young band that creates a sonically intricate blend of black metal and shoegaze. When you read the words “black metal” and “shoegaze” together, did you immediately imagine a handsome dude in motorcycle gloves? Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but for the next few minutes you should instead imagine the shimmery darkness of acts like Alcest, Wolves in the Throne Room, or (criminally defunct) Amesoeurs.
Back in October, Withering Light dropped a split with Baton Rouge black metal group Barghest and it is something you need to plug into your ear holes immediately. I highly recommend throwing on some decent headphones or your speaker system for this release. Withering Light have a melodic sensibility that most bands simply cannot reach. The guitar lines sparkle and shine like the reflection of a lighthouse on an oil spill. Within these blasts and screams there is catharsis. Listen to “Lantern” and find yourself in the dark.
Check out Withering Light on Facebook and Bandcamp and tell ’em Toilet ov Hell says “sup brah”.
Honorable Mention:
Ossacrux (New Orleans, LA) – Hard as fucking nails d-beat from the swamp. Get crusty and go like ’em on Facebook.
The Toilet ov Hell is on an absurd quest to find the best unsigned band in each state of this glorious union. The purpose? To shine the spotlight on bands that deserve more exposure. Also, we’re going to determine once and for all the greatest state in the nation. Each state winner is decided by a collection of 25 judges. After we’ve announced the winner of each state, we’re gonna throw them all in a winner-take-all bracket and leave the votes up to you. Who will be the best unsigned band in the United States? Which state is superior? We can’t wait to find out.
Previous winners:
Alabama — Phylum
Alaska — Terraform
Arizona – Take Over And Destroy
Arkansas – Torii
California – Destroy Judas
Colorado – The Sleer
Connecticut – Autumn’s Eyes
Delaware – Sloss
Florida – Capracide
Georgia – Lost Hours
Hawaii – Darkest Path
Idaho – Rotten Hand
Illinois – Deus Ex
Indiana – Thorr-Axe
Kansas – Bummer
Kentucky – Ad Infinitum
