When I was given the opportunity to write a few words about the new single from Cwfen (pronounced ‘coven’), I jumped at the chance.
I’ve been following the band’s progression for about a year now, seeing them work towards their first single ‘Reliks‘, aptly released on Halloween of 2024, and viewing clips of their stunning live shows where I continually get jealous of those able to attend.
I was instantly drawn into the ethereal 90’s alt gothic-rock tone that the band displayed, with vocalist Agnes Alder brimming on the edge of complete rage and passion through the beauty of her voice.
Image Credit: Sorrows Album Cover, Cfwen Band
‘Bodies’ is a burrow of black depths, where lies the heart of darkness.
The track’s theme is based around metaphorical feminine consumption and destruction, being more than what is expected of being a woman, an idea that can be heard from the sounds of Alder.
This, matched with the gothic influence of Type O Negative, is a match made in hell. The track’s slow, laid-back pace has an unusual calming sensation, but very dark in nature.
Vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Agnes Alder, said, “Bodies was one of the first songs I’d written for Cwfen. I’d gone through a period of significant change in my life and had burned out to the point of caring a lot less about things that had previously been important to me when I was younger.
Image Credit: Cwfen Band
“As I was writing, I’d imagined this sort of vast, feminine cosmic horror. Sort of the opposite of what women are supposed to be. And I had this thought: what if, instead of being told to stay small and keep producing, a woman took up the biggest space possible and just… consumed? Almost a black-hole-sized matriarch hoovering up everything until there was nothing left.”
With the low, entrancing tone of Alder’s voice, she channels the likes of Lingua Ignota, King Woman and Chelsea Wolfe, turning pain into ecstatic beauty.
Cwfen are shortly about to embark on their greatest adventure yet, supporting the ethereal wonders that are Faetooth across the UK, as well as performing at the hallowed grounds of Download Festival.
The new single ‘Bodies’ is out now, with their new album ‘Sorrows’ set for release 30th May. You do not want to miss this.
Featured Image Credit: Cwfen Band
The Mourning Paper 