The Witching Hour summon shadows and catharsis on ‘Dead Inside’

If ever a song felt like wandering through a cemetery at the edge of dawn, when the chill in the air meets the quiet pull of something ancient, it’s ‘Dead Inside’, the latest transmission from Sydney’s rising dark rock outfit The Witching Hour.

Fronted by the spectral presence of Taime Marsh, a guitarist and vocalist whose command of mood and melody is well beyond his years, the trio waste no time casting a spell. Opening with a delicate, melancholic guitar line that drips with restrained tension, ‘Dead Inside’ slowly lures you into its fogged-out world before erupting into a cathartic storm of distortion and dread. Think Silverchair meets HIM, with a touch of cinematic sorrow.

There’s a dramatic elegance to Marsh’s delivery, floating above thunderous drums and a rhythm section that balances punch with poise. It’s a rare thing: a song that manages to feel both massive and intimate. Where many bands in the gothic or post-grunge lane fall into theatrics, The Witching Hour strike a beautiful balance—darkness with heart, intensity with honesty.

With an EP reportedly in the works, ‘Dead Inside’ feels like the first flare from a band standing on the precipice of something big. There’s no question The Witching Hour are emerging from the mist with intention. Whether you’re craving a visceral release or just a reminder that sorrow can be sonic salvation, this track cuts deep—and heals a little, too.