Riff Analysis 040 - Bell Witch "Mirror Reaper"

My Patreon, where you can support the channel, get your name in the credits, get all the diagrams I make for these, and give input for my rapid fire riff videos: www.patreon.com/metalmusictheory
Bell Witch's Patreon: / bellwitch
This album: bellwitch.band...
My music: www.bandcamp.com/floridekstasis
My website, which has all my videos and academic work nicely organized, as well as my transcription of bass and vocals for this whole album: www.calderhannan.com
The online home of my article about Bell Witch (though if you want to read it and don’t have institutional access, send me an email!):
doi.org/10.138...
About Mariusz Lewandowski’s album covers:
www.decibelmag...
Phil Ewell's article: mtosmt.org/iss...
As a slight aside about this article, I should mention that a lot of the forces he mentions serve to exclude metal from mainstream music theory discussion (though me and several very smart people who I've learned from are doing our darndest to change this) as well as music by creators of color, if you need another reason why the current state of affairs is less than ideal.
A nice gloss of the nonsense with the Journal of Schenkerian Studies:
meganlavengood...
And, finally, a few sources that take seriously the complicated question of how music theory methodology can relate to race and racism (outside of the primarily pragmatic concerns about institutional structures that Ewell gets into):
Agawu, Kofi. 2006. “Structural Analysis or Cultural Analysis? Competing Perspectives on the ‘Standard Pattern’ of West African Rhythm.” /Journal of the American Musicological Society/ 59 (1): 1-46.
Perchard, Tom. 2015. “New Riffs on the Old Mind-Body Blues: ‘Black Rhythm,’ ‘White Logic,’ and Music Theory in the Twenty-First Century.” /Journal of the Society for American Music/9 (3): 321-48.
Scherzinger, Martin. 2010. “Temporal Geometries of an African Music: A Preliminary Sketch,” /Music Theory Online/16 (4).

[@theyescapedtheweightofdarkness]

even just hearing the short snippets played in this video shake me to my core. i am more emotionally attached to this album than any other piece of art. it is loss, it is longing, it is anger, it is beauty, it is giving up, getting born anew to realize that nothing changed, you resurface after 83 minutes and nothing is different about your life. this album breaks you down into dust, and slowly, builds you up again. With every melody note that feels as if it's reverberating inside my ribs, shaking my brain, getting into the deepest corners of myself that not even i've discovered yet, i feel it all. it's loss translated directly from soul to bass guitar. it defies any notion i previously had about emotion in art. it is pure perfection

[@darkkrenaissance42]

no one ever mentions the fact this is just a 2 Piece Band on this album,,, Drummer and Bassist (both doing vocals), no guitar at all... that alone is so profound to me

[@Bennick323]

I have probably listened to this entire thing more times than is healthy. I've endured a bunch of loss before and I think one of the things I really appreciate about it is what you have essentially pointed out about the sort of metaphorical transition at the ending. To some degree, loss and grief get easier, but they do also kind of last forever. I love the ending chord progression, because it's not a perfect healing and really illustrates that point for me. Acceptance doesn't really mean returning to a total normal. Thanks for this video and the transcription.

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Thank you for the really beautiful comment!

[@BJSepuku]

I was here when this was still called "040 Mirror Reaper"

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Haha fixed!

[@divinasi0n]

I'm glad of your inclination towards discussing rhythm. I've always found it disappointing to hear people say that Progressive bands just use odd times to be unique, to stand out or just _because they can._ Different metric and tempo modulations in fact change the very feeling of a piece; rhythm is as essential as harmony in conveying emotion to the listener... and besides, sound and harmony _is_ rhythmic. Literally. 🤘

[@NutsTesticles]

I saw them live on the tour for this album. Easily, easily, one of the best live music experiences I've ever had. Some moments so quiet and intimate that you could have a whispering conversation and hear every word, other parts so loud and deafening that my ears felt like they would explode.

[@TylerJMacDonald]

You transcribed the whole piece?! Damn.

[@bhvrvlt]

This album made me realise how much potential there is in a scarce, minimalist composition. The F over Eb part has haunted me for days on end, trying to find out why it hits me the way it does. Also learning of the album's source of inspiration made an impact probably. And sense, it made a lot of sense. The message transpires clearly. Great analysis! Can't wait for whatever you choose to do next!

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Thank you!

[@melkilduff420]

This is my absolute favorite song on the planet and I’m happy that someone took the time to analyze this gorgeous piece

[@auroranamex5886]

Funeral doom harmony = instant subscription

[@lebannerfan65]

ngl, I've been low key e-crushing on MMT for a good while now. Appreciate the academic references. One cool idea would be to have a one hour video where you break down some of the state of the art in your field/thesis with some musical examples inserted to keep it youtube friendly -- I'd watch that with great interest.

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Gonna do a video about my dissertation in the next few weeks! Probably won't be an hour though lol

[@lebannerfan65]

@@metalmusictheory5401 I'll take whatever I can get. Hook it up straight to the vein.

[@lebannerfan65]

@@metalmusictheory5401 Oh, and if you're ever in for set of videos on 'classic' prog metal, some Opeth could be awesome for harmony.

[@metalmusictheory5401]

@@lebannerfan65 Have you seen the one Opeth video I already did? Riff Analysis 010, one of the early ones. Will do more eventually!

[@lebannerfan65]

@@metalmusictheory5401 Certainly have, and much liked it. However, more Opeth is always more gooder in my book.

[@The_KlaVra]

I love this album SO MUCH, so happy to see it getting the love it deserves...

[@tyelerhiggins300]

I'm so glad I found this. I found your paper earlier today, but didn't sign up to be able to see it. I'm pretty sure I'm going to some time soon. I requested it from the website where I found the paper. I hope it's a reputable site and isn't screwing you over or something.

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Send me an email and I'll send it to you, don't pay for it on there!

[@heycbob]

Nice to see so many ppl enjoyed this masterpiece! I cant imagine the amount of work it took to study the whole piece. Good job man 🤘🏻

[@theoppositeistrue]

Still haven’t listened to this one, though your touching descriptions of it makes it sound like a cup of coffee for my soul in the colder months. All my homies 360 no scope off the top of rust schenkerian analysts

[@jesuscontreras124]

A lot to learn in here, great to have someone to explain such deep, complex topics in a metal context. Congratulations and thank you for doing this. P.S. Some Ulcerate would be great.

[@kittavares4334]

I really dig your channel, it always inspires me to attempt writing stuff using the concepts you mentioned right away. Regarding what you said at the end, I think a lot of metalheads are guilty of using that BS too to try to elevate the genre into a legit art form and above all other pop genres (because of some inferiority complex I guess). "Metal is the legitimate heir of classical", "Bach would be an hessian if he lived today, blablabla". Super cringe and delusional, and it's not going away anytime soon. To me, music genres are a little like different sports with their own rules and standard, you wouldn't blame a tennis player for not running as fast as a 100m athlete.

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Agreed!

[@sputniki5477]

Guh... you're too good...

[@dāzainmusic]

Truly appreciate this analysis. Mirror Reaper is one of my favourite albums to come out during the last few years and I really enjoy seeing people engage with it on a deeper level. Would love to read your full article. Regarding rhythm: It's actually kind of interesting to me that the larger part of this piece is rubato, and the time semi-spontaneously and continuously negotiated by the players among themselves, not something you usually see in most "popular music". I remember the band recounting the challenges of overdubbing in an interview, since they would usually rely on sight in a live context and, wisely, decided against using a click for tracking as well.

[@hypnolobster]

This is incredible, I don't even know how I got here but I love this analysis. Mirror reaper was (is) a lifechanging album for me. Obliviosus by MSW is another that just completely ruined me in a similar way.

[@nisinduperera7130]

O brother

[@countjulu]

Saw them debut this live at Roadburn, was really amazing

[@jonluick]

Love this song / album, and I really enjoyed this breakdown. Well done.

[@chasem.4330]

keep up the good work. proud of you

[@elrondhubbard9127]

Just found your channel! Love this kind of analysis. Thank you.

[@martinsskutans6646]

Damn. Yet another great music peace , I didn’t knew before and discovered through this channel

[@DustinWHiser]

Yes! Been looking forward to this one for awhile!

[@paulpaul2234]

Again I say : bravo! Interesting like usual. Merci,

[@TheGuywithaChannel]

YES! This is what I was waiting for!

[@leepeel6529]

Nice one. The artwork is looks heavily inspired by the works of Beksinski, if that interests you!

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Yeah he's great too!

[@TheDistortionPrinciple]

This is amazing work

[@devinharwood6010]

Awesome video. I’d love to hear an analysis of ‘Reaching the Inner Most’ or ‘Written In My Scars,’ by Shape of Despair, if we’re sticking on the doom train!

[@MrCD-xv3jj]

Really enjoyed this. Have you ever done anything regarding the doom band Colosseum? Maybe check out Delapidation and Death. It's a fantastic piece

[@dylan____3107]

Thanks for the upload, I really enjoy this album. I recommend the funeral doom band shape of despair, with there album monotony fields.

[@ChrisBevanBass]

Never listened to anything like this really - can't even begin to wrap my head around an album that can ultimately be reduced to "47 minutes of F/Eb"! Super interesting video nonetheless Also, what a beautiful interpretation of the ever-present F at 10:57 onwards. Loved this!

[@RainbowAceOfSpades]

Great video! Would love to see you tackle Pavor or Bethlehem or Rainer Landfermann's solo work. He's one of the most underrated metal musicians.

[@justsomedude5727]

Is there anyway to get the notations of this? I've been trying to ear transcribe the song for awhile

[@sergebdi]

Do one on Khanate. Please. :)

[@schillinger7814]

I was going to mention Khanate too. Still remember the day I got their debut and being completely floored by it.

[@Xankill3r]

Yes! Finally!!!!

[@palmmoot]

Play F to pay respects

[@numbbuttproductions]

I would love to have access to your article, just wondering where I can find your email to request it. Mirror Reaper is my favorite song and I love to get in depth with it through various interpretations and analyses and I’m super interested.

[@metalmusictheory5401]

[e-mail]

[@aurealproportions1917]

Wait, are there academic writings about metal?

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Lots at this point!

[@darkkrenaissance42]

Interestingly, no one Ever mentions the fact that there is No Guitar... Its just Bass and Drums,, i mean how profound is that??

[@erlkonig6375]

can you read my mind bro? i was just wondering about what kinda harmonies bell witch uses a while ago... they always seem to "roll" infinitely without a real root or direction i feel... at least on mirror reaper

[@jonajon91]

I thought this was a great video until it got to the footnote, then it got better.

[@DigitalTiger101]

What's that Black Metal book on your shelf there?

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Dayal Patterson's book ("Evolution of the Cult")-a nice compact history that I still haven't read all the way through lol

[@DigitalTiger101]

@@metalmusictheory5401 thank you!

[@teylace1722]

you sound like the metal version of joe pera 👌

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Haha that's high praise

[@sonkeh7362]

The cover is a painting by the polish artist Zdzislaw Beksinski. His works are beyond beautiful yet terrifying and just have metal written all over them

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Are you sure? The band credits Mariusz Lewandowski on the release. But I'm just following what they say. Both awesome artists.

[@nicholas72611]

@@metalmusictheory5401 it's definitely lewandowski, but I'm sure he takes a lot of inspiration from beksinski.

[@sonkeh7362]

@@metalmusictheory5401 damn, you're right, my bad. But as the other comment states, the styles are super similar. I just instantly associated that with Beksinski, since he established that style :)

[@TheSquareOnes]

Obligatory algorithm comment.

[@masterchain3335]

Schenker (/ˈʃɛŋkɐ/): v. to perform Schenkerian analysis on a piece of music. ex. "how you would typically Schenker something", "bro, you really Schenkered the fuck out of that track."

[@metalmusictheory5401]

Lol how to talk like a music theory grad student

[@MetalKeith666]

Funeral doom metal is the best genre