Bellhound Choir is a solo project of Danish author Christian Hade Madsen. His first EP Stray Screech Beastdropped in 2015 and it was a teaser for his long-play debut Imagine The Crackle. Prior to his solo career, Christian played in stoner rock band Pet The Preacher, and was also on tour with Kyuss. Besides music, Christian is into film and literature. He has even written a novel titled Morkeraed (Fear of the dark). Although the style and the sound of Pet The Preacher are still present in traces, Bellhound Choir project manifests as something different.
In description of Bellhound Choir, you will find a Scandinavian folk tag, which probably is the most suitable label as Scandinavian have a unique approach to folk music. It is always in slight touch with traditional pagan folk and metal. Things get even more intriguing with Bellhound Choir since not only that he incorporates stoner rock, but also country and blues. Stylistically diverse genres are united in a mosaic that functions perfectly. He has the vocal that is typical for rock, blues and country. The depth of his voice might be his strongest asset.
Worried Kid presents Christian in confident state of mind, more blues and dark than ever. The album title suggests predominant topics - darkness, shadows, demons, fear, trepidation. Such a Scandinavian angst is to be felt in each song on the record, alongside eerie and foggy atmosphere. Existential problematic is poetic and direct, rather than philosophical or theoretical. Simplicity, rawness and straightforwardness of lyrics reflect Scandinavian folk. Bellhound Choir does not insist for you to like him. Although direct and candid, he stays behind the veil of mysticism.
Opening track Getting Bigger is approachable and introverted at the same time. Creepy sincerity of Christian's vocal reminds me of Jason Webley, Mark Lanegan and Eddie Vedder. Blues-folk tone of this track is tentatively seductive with guitar leading the flirting game. Oh, Little Michael is a true piece of modern blues while The Jacket sneaked in from Christian's stoner phase with folk arrangement making it even more luring.
Downtempo spreads through Full Moon Tide and Down, ballads that sound as touching confessions of blues desperado. Folk nostalgia dominates on title track, and the album wraps up with Home. There are only eight songs on the album, and I believe there should have been at least two more to make it more coherent. However, the quality of Christian's artistry is ubiquitous. Emotionally charged and creatively energized, Bellhound Choir's sophomore steps up and comes close to the title of the year's most intriguing release. Blues, country and folk in their best amalgam yet.
