LIVE FROM THE PIT: Cwfen, Helve and Acceptance

With less than a year since their debut album Sorrows was released, CWFEN (pronounced Coven)’s gothic doomgaze sound has been praised for its dark and addictive tunes, and in that time the following has only grown. The Scottish four-piece supported FAETOOTH on their tour last year in some of their biggest shows to date, and with some shows planned to support the great PARADISE LOST in a couple of months, there is no sign of them slowing down any time soon.

As part of a short tour of just two dates, after a three day tour at the beginning of December last year, the band visited both Cardiff and Leeds. On a drizzly January evening we got the chance to witness them in a little venue on the last night of this mini tour. The lineup consisted of two local bands, ACCEPTANCE and HELVE, and then finally CWFEN.

First on the bill was ACCEPTANCE, and with smoke billowing through the room we were treated to a group of very intense, very talented musicians. The tracks were long, and at points the vocalist seemed possessed, as if being taken over by the music. With a rather cramped stage there was the chance to spread out as lyrics were screamed into the pit.

“This one’s really depressing, so good luck with that.” brought a few chuckles, before launching into the next song. As the set draws to its end, the vocalist falls to his knees in exhaustion, having given their all. 

Next, it was time for HELVE. Where ACCEPTANCE was more urgent and full of anguish, HELVE was a little more dialed back and heavy in a different way, giving a mesmerising performance. There was even less space on the stage with an extra band member than the group before, which gave the perfect excuse to yet again use the front of the pit as a secondary stage. The band presented a set full of delectable doom that you could not look away from in fear of missing something. At one point the crowd were all leaning in to catch a glimpse as the guitarist used a screwdriver over the strings to create a drawling addition to the track being played.

If it was even possible, the room filled even more as CWFEN made their way to the stage, dodging equipment as they went, all settling in and taking their place. Bodies eased us into the night, and as the steady rhythm built, the magnetism grew. Vocalist AGNES ALDERN sounded hypnotic and as her voice ascended into a haunting scream we all stared in awe. Her smudged, blackened eyes stared back, the whites of them flickering in the light.

As the intro riff of Wolfsbane kicked in, the energy in the room was electric, and drummer RÖS RANQUINN delivered some of the slickest grooves you’ve ever heard. Throughout the entire set there was a sea of nodding heads, completely transfixed. 

There was minimal chat on stage but it was not necessary; the band’s smiling faces between songs were all we needed. The new unreleased track Revenge went down a treat, followed by the show stopper Whispers. Unrelenting bass from MARY THOMAS BAKER made for an alluring gothic sound you could not get enough of. Each song landed just as well as the one before, the whole band on top form. 

Embers brough the atmosphere to a whole new level and the doom-y riff brought by the band’s guitarist GUY DENUIT was truly captivating. Finishing on a rage note, Rite bursted in to grapple the audience one last time. The layering in this track was stunning, with the contrast of AGNES’ wails over the dreamlike backing sounds of GUY made a fulfilling and satisfying ending.

CWFEN are truly a band you experience, the live versions of every track were immaculate. The natural reverb of a live setting only makes the performance more special. This is a really exciting time for the band, with a great record behind them and obvious hints to release more music soon, alongside a packed year so far of shows. Everything they have achieved so far has been so well deserved, and we are so lucky to have them.

Words: Danielle Henderson

Photos: Klaudia Skalska