
On their new sophomore effort, Veils of Winter, Blackwater Holylight ditches the paint-by-numbers approach in favor of finding their own way. Opening track “Seeping Secrets” features about three minutes of capable, earth-moving doom riffage before bassist Allison Faris and guitarist Laura Hopkins deliver a glistening chorus that instantly brings the song into perfect balance. Bluesy, rock ’n’ roll swagger collides with the motorik beat on “Motorcycle.” “The Protector” is heavy yet seems to float on a cloud of burbling bass, faded synths, and dead-eyed vocals. And “Death Realms” is a smeared, punchy dream that earns a comparison to My Bloody Valentine, but also doesn’t get lost in its own fog.