Windswept is a black metal band from Wellington, New Zealand. The group came together in 2024 and sought to bring a raw black metal assault that still maintained a melodic sensibility and punk-inspired chaos. Two years later, Windswept now stands ready to unleashHowling in Baptismal Filth, and has provided Decibel with its video for “Cenote.” One thing that immediately jumps out about the song is the guitar work, which reminds me a lot of bands likeDark Fortress andBlodsrit — heavily distorted riffs that stay with you long after the first listen.
Here’s how the band’s lead singer, Rachel Collins, describes the song:
“Cenote” is a lament that explores guilt, identity, and self-destruction. The feeling of weaving a sophisticated web of lies, eventually becoming all-consuming and drowning in the responsibility and consequences of one’s ego. “Cenote” manifests as a raw ritualistic abstraction of fear, loss and nihilism.
And drummer Steve Francis adds an amusing anecdote about the video: “We shot the video with filmmaker Amber Beaton on a Sunday in the middle of a very busy hiking trail. The locals were definitely not expecting to be visually and sonically assaulted as they embarked on their peaceful hike!” Yes, I can imagine being a little started to see someone screaming with an axe in their hands while on my constitutional walk. But luckily enough, the song rips, so there’s definitely worse things to find in the woods.
Check out the song and video below.Howling in Baptismal Filth comes out on May 29 via Northern Void Records, you can find preorder information here. You can also follow the band directly at their Bandcamp page.
