Doomed Confessionary: Thomas White (Witchpit)
Photo credits: Chloe Dalton Photos
Witchpit, a formidable force in the doom/sludge metal scene, has been crafting their heavy, riff-driven sound since their formation in 2015 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The band comprising Thomas White (guitar), Denny Stone (vocals), Jesse Lane (bass), and Jeremy Grobsmith (drums), combines classic heavy metal, doom, sludge, and thrash influences to create a powerful and original musical experience. Known for their intense live shows and meticulous studio work, Witchpit’s music delves into themes of mysticism, rebellion, and the supernatural, weaving intricate narratives that captivate their audience.
Witchpit has toured extensively and shared stages with prominent acts such as Weedeater, Voivod, and EyeHateGod, solidifying their place in the metal community. The band’s second album »Forever Spoken«, released in November 2024 through Heavy Psych Sounds, promises to push their sound further into the sludge/southern metal genre, blending their signature intensity with innovative new elements. With a growing fanbase and a reputation for electrifying performances, Witchpit is poised to make a significant impact in the metal world, continually pushing the boundaries of their genre.
Can you please say a few words about your band?
We are a doom/sludge metal band from South Carolina that started in 2015.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Finding reliable talented musicians
What can you be most proud of so far?
The band getting signed to HPS Sounds and working with Tonedeaf Touring. Working with these 2 groups has really taken the band to new heights.
What was your biggest regret?
No regrets.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Touring with Weedeater/Telekinetic Yeti in 2023 was definitely a highlight. It was the first legit tour the band did and was the first time the band played in front of big crowds night after night. We played Muddy Roots Festival in 2024 with High On Fire, Weedeater and All Them Witches and to this date was the biggest festival/crowd the band has ever played.
Have you played any unusual places that you’ll never forget?
Not really unless you count shooting a music video inside a old mill? We filmed the music video for »The Blackened Fee« inside the ruins of a old textile mill in Pelzer, SC.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Me personally coming from the death metal scene to the doom/sludge scene I gotta say the fans in this genre are so open and will always give new bands a chance. It’s not like this at all in death metal.
Your second album »Forever Spoken« dropped in November 2024 via Heavy Psych Sounds. How was the response so far?
The response has been great we tried some new stuff on this record and I think it paid off. Sold a ton of vinyl so far so I guess that says something.
What your songwriting process looks like? When you know that a song is finished?
For us we do preproduction on all of our songs before we record a album. So that way we have a good vision of how the material sounds. And if anything is sounding weird we can fix it before we record the real thing.
How much do you think has the band’s sound evolved from your early days?
Alot, our first 3 singles are definitely more stoner rock tracks and now the band has more of a sludge metal sound.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Everything, I listen to alot of black and death metal. So at this time I’m digging the new Blood Incantation. I’ve also been listening to the new High On Fire album. I really love the production on that new one.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Don’t stop, if it was easy everybody would be doing it.
Do you have a memory of a song or an album from your childhood or teenage years that you are emotionally linked to?
Not so much albums but songs rather. ZZ Top’s »Nasty Dogs And Funky Kings« and Jethro Tull’s »Minstrel In The Gallery« those are some of the first “heavy” songs I heard as a child and those songs have always stuck with me.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Not that I can think of… I love the James Bond movies the old ones and new ones. Not really sure if that counts as guilty pleasure though… especially the Daniel Craig’s versions but, I could see the older movies being considered a little chessey.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Spartanburg?
The scene is very small here.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
5/29 Toledo, OH – Frankies
5/30 Madison, WI – The Crucible
5/31 Dayton, OH – Cosmic Joe’s
6/19 Wilmington, NC – Reggies
6/20 Chesapeake, Va – The Riff
6/21 Frederick, MD – Cafe 611
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Honestly just trying to see how far we can take this band… we have a new record we’re gonna start working on next year but, in the mean time just trying to tour as much as possible.
How can people best support your band?
Buy merch from our Bandcamp or Bigcartel and add us there Spotify playlist.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you for your support for the last 10 years. We never expected to get this far and we couldn’t have without yall.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well