Nick Pipitone of Monster Riff described how the band are "influenced just as much by Dr. John and Mississippi bluesman Junior Kimbrough as they are by Black Sabbath and progressive metal" and that their music can "venture from bluesy riffs and folk tales to spacey neo-psychedelic to punishing doom rock." Similarly, Rob Hughes of Classic Rock Magazine noted how "[All Them Witches are] as likely to create boiling riptides of bluesy psychedelia as they are pools of mystic folk and doomy ambience."
The band consists of Charles Michael Parks, Jr (vocals, bass, guitar), Ben Mcleod (guitar, formerly vocals) and Robby Staebler (drums). Formed in 2012, All Them Witches were quick to release their debut, Our Mother Electricity. It consisted of a heavy blend of stoner rock-y guitars and bass, rhodes and powerful, rhythmic drums. This would set the cornerstone for their sound, soon developing into the more mysterious grooves and atmosphere on 2013's followup Lightning At The Door. This release gained real traction for the band and gave them their likely most well-known track to date, When God Comes Back.
Taking a break from the creative front, the band released a live album in 2015, featuring a bluesy cover of Albert King's Born Under A Bad Sign. Not long after, they announced their third studio release, Dying Surfer Meets His Maker. Much like the rest of their catalogue, this album truly showcased every member's best abilities. From calm opener Call Me Star to emotional ending track Blood And Sand/Milk And Endless Waters, the album won fans' hearts, and gained the band more well deserved attention.
That brings us to their 2016 live release, recorded from a show in Brussels, which contains the band playing older songs as well as another cover, being of Abner Jay's My Middle Name Is The Blues.
Keyboardist/violinist Allan van Cleave left the band around this time, shortly replaced by keyboardist Jonathan Draper.
Not long after, in February 2017, they came out with another amazing record. Sleeping Through The War made quick success, being a unique, spacey album notably produced by Dave Cobb. It added dynamics and, surprisingly, more atmosphere to what was already a steadily evolving sound from such an active, young band.
2018's self-titled ATW was announced to be the band's first release without a keyboard player, after Draper's departure. This album's characteristics include groovy stoner riffs with blues influence, slowing down and speeding up throughout the LP, ending with the haunting Rob's Dream.
Nearly two years later, and after a lot of touring, the band has come out with their latest record, Nothing As The Ideal, recorded at Abbey Road Studios. Harboring a sound akin to that of their single 1X1, this album is by far the group's heaviest--though it does contain softer ballads like Everest and the incredibly emotional Rats in Ruin.
Saturnine & Iron Jaw
All Them Witches Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hierophant
Hierophant
Hierophant
Hierophant
Hierophant
Hierophant
Hierophant
Hierophant
Hierophant
Hierophant
Passed my time
On holy days
From my mind
Sight and my taste
Higher force of perception
Nothing, thatโฒs the ideal
Gentle hand of confusion
Lead me back to myself
And if you are afraid
Don't know oneโฒs soul
On saturnine and iron jaw
Higher force of perception
Nothing, that's the ideal
Gentle hand of confusion
Lead me back to myself
Common day
Alleyway
Hierophant
Common day
Alleyway
Hierophant
Common day
Alleyway
Hierophant
Common day
Alleyway
Hierophant
The lyrics to "Saturnine & Iron Jaw" by All Them Witches is a contemplative and introspective song that grapples with themes of spirituality, transcendence, and self-discovery. The repetition of the word "hierophant" (which refers to a person who leads religious rites or reveals sacred mysteries) throughout the song creates a hypnotic, almost meditative effect. It's as if the singer is repeating this word to himself as a means of finding clarity and understanding.
The opening lines of the song ("Passed my time on holy days, from my mind sight and my taste") suggest that the singer has spent a significant amount of time engaging in religious or spiritual practices that have altered their perception of reality. They have been so consumed by these practices that they have lost touch with their own senses and are searching for a way to reconnect with themselves.
The lines "Higher force of perception, nothing, that's the ideal / Gentle hand of confusion, lead me back to myself" express the singer's desire for a spiritual experience that goes beyond the limitations of their human senses. They seek a higher power or perception that can guide them towards a greater understanding of themselves and their place in the world. However, they also acknowledge that this pursuit can be confusing and unsettling, and that they need to approach it with a sense of humility and openness.
Overall, "Saturnine & Iron Jaw" is a thought-provoking and introspective song that invites the listener to reflect on their own spiritual journey and the search for meaning and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Hierophant
The singer is calling out to the Hierophant, who is a religious figure that acts as a mediator between humans and the divine.
Passed my time
The singer has spent their time in a certain way.
On holy days
The singer used to spend their time on religious holidays.
From my mind
Their thoughts have been taken away or dampened.
Sight and my taste
Their senses have been dulled or compromised.
Higher force of perception
The singer is seeking a greater understanding or enlightenment.
Nothing, that's the ideal
The goal is to achieve a state of nothingness, where there are no distractions or attachments.
Gentle hand of confusion
The path to enlightenment may be confusing or chaotic, but the artist seeks a patient and understanding guide.
Lead me back to myself
The artist desires to reconnect with their true self, which they feel has been lost or forgotten.
And if you are afraid
The artist is addressing someone who is scared or uncertain.
Don't know one's soul
Without knowing oneself fully, it is impossible to understand or judge others.
On saturnine and iron jaw
The artist may be referring to a difficult situation or state of mind that requires strength and resilience.
Common day
The singer is describing an ordinary or mundane day.
Alleyway
A narrow or winding passage, possibly symbolizing a difficult or uncertain path.
Writer(s): Charles Michael Parks, James Robert Staebler, Benjamin Mcleod
Contributed by Nolan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Francisco Javier Hernรกndez Martรญnez
These guys are already up there between the all-time greats and are acheiving a height of their own.
My favorite band right now. No contest.
Essam Hasan
No contest indeed
Rowboat Woke
Well....one more fantastic song by a band that has NO bad songs. No filler bullshit. I mean...I can listen to every single one back to back without skipping 1 track. Amazing!!
Diego De Luna
Lean & mean like a saturnine machine.
StainOnTHeWALL
same here brother.. going on 4 years, theyve truly captured something amazing
Lady Mother
Ditto. Every album โฆ every song!
bigfishh
I don't feel that way, but this song is amazing
Cursed Chris
I absolutely love their doom blues.
Thom Fades
I'm convinced that if this came on in the 70s the band would be legendary by now.
Chris Hanson
"Gentle hand of confusion. Lead me back...to myself"
Internally pure genius!
Back in the way we came out.