Witnesses man Greg Schwan told me before the release of Joy that it is his best album. That’s bold considering I hold his releases in high regard, but especially Doom II. It’s certainly because it’s the first album I heard. I like bold statements though because confidence makes me pay attention.

To begin the album, “Joy (Like a River), starts without much of an intro. One might think this is the title track, but you’d also have to say that about the rest of them since the proper songs have “Joy” in the title. Regardless, the first one is one of, if not the best track on the album. A great hook explodes immediately from the speakers with some heavy, slow doom riffing. Simon Bibby’s vocals may be jarring at first since they’re very close to power metal, but also Candlemass. They fit the music perfectly and are especially powerful in the chorus.

Every track bears mentioning, but I don’t have unlimited space. So, next on the list is “Joy (Beyond the Sound of My Voice). It’s a rousing, galloping start compared to the previous songs. Furious drum rolls from Angel Hernandez (not the MLB umpire) punctuate the riffs, which are of course another strength. Like any good doom track, there is a quieter section. Some spoken word passages seemingly narrate the track, then back into it.

It’s at this point I am going to point out that I’m not sure Greg and I have the same definition of joy. Regardless, the final two songs on Joy are excellent. “Joy (The Endings),” is the second to last, and it could fit snugly into the death/doom category. That doesn’t mean anything negative. It does take a substantial left turn into an atmospheric passage with keys and a guitar with over 3 minutes left. It’s not jarring, but in this section, Simon uses his lower register with excellent results. I will admit it almost sounds like two tracks, but the doom does come back, and I somehow can relate well to “I’d Like to Feel you Tear me to Pieces.” In my interpretation, it feels like those times when I’m down and just want to feel something, anything.

The final track, “Joy (Safety in Me),” is the longest, but nothing short of another masterpiece. After barely a minute, the track goes from its quiet origins to an eruption of riffs, then into mid-paced doom territory. It does pick up again for the chorus, but the song ends on an emotional note with keys and the ethereal vocals of Gabbi Coenen.

Greg may be right. This very well could be Witnesses’ best album. It’s difficult to dethrone the first album I’ve heard from a band, but time will tell, and I’m sure it will be kind to Joy. This needs to take up significant space in your ear holes. I’ve been listening to it for what feels like a while, but only because of its staying power. This is another stellar release from Witnesses, which has surely earned a spot on my year-end list. It’s nothing short of a powerful statement from an incredible artist who I still can’t believe isn’t signed to label. Check this out as soon as possible.

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