Glasgow’s rising doomgaze band, Cwfen (‘coven’), release their highly anticipated debut single ‘Reliks’. Following a whirlwind first year ‘Reliks’ marks the band’s major entrance into the heavy music scene.
After building a dedicated local following through raw, atmospheric demos and captivating live shows, ‘Reliks’ serves as Cwfen’s mission statement. The track delves into the collapse of long-held beliefs when confronted with mortality – a powerful, existential reflection wrapped in the band’s signature blend of doom, goth and post-metal influences.
“At its heart, ‘Reliks’ is about facing your final moments, when everything you thought you knew starts to unravel,” says Agnes Alder, vocalist and lyricist for the band. “It’s not about faith, but about the reality that all your ideas and beliefs might not hold up forever”.
Musically, ‘Reliks’ embodies Cwfen’s unique sound – dark, heavy, and emotionally charged. The song weaves haunting melodies, raw riffs, and dynamic vocals that alternate between ethereal and intense.
The haunting refrain “Parts that are left of me” reflects the song’s theme of fragmentation – both physically and emotionally – as life breaks apart in the face of death. The shift between the main melody and the guttural intensity of the vocals underscore the tension between fear and acceptance.
“Releasing it on Samhain felt important. It’s a date about transition and reflection, mirroring what ‘Reliks’ is trying to express. It’s about confronting the inevitability of change and our very human responses to it.”