Favoring female vox atop swirling melodies anytime any day and gravitating toward darkness, Wind Burial immediately caught my attention as it manages to convey intensity, danger and beauty.Varied instrumentation combined with sweeping arrangements resonates with atmospheric moodiness. It’s a compelling folk, alternative, psychedelic mélange that the Seattle band dubs desert-psyche.

Vocalist/Moog player Kat Terran provides a sonic depth with vulnerable and bold vocals. Her vocals sound similar to Zola Jesus, Chelsea Wolfe and Valerie Forgione. from my favorite 90s band Mistle Thrush. “Sleeping Giant” gloriously spirals and shimmies and immediately reminded me of Mistle Thrush. “Crown of Bones” features ominous lyrics and dazzles, twists and rocks a bit. Into the depths for the exquisitely wistful “A Story from the Sea.” The band effectively starts with gentle melodica and churns to a heart-pumping crescendo on “We Used to Be Hunters.” Terran showcases her stunning vocals yet again on the slower emotional “Traveler.”

The band recorded the album in an old wooden church in the historic seaport of Anacortes. Sounds like a cool setting. This is an album to play on repeat. Wind Burial quickly became my new favorite band.

RECOMMENDATION: BUY

Wind Burial
We Used to Be Hunters
Release date: March 17, 2015