I will say one thing for reviewing, it can be fascinating because you can get very new listening. Without a doubt I hear a range of new material that I would never otherwise come across. This fits that bill. I found myself drawn to this from the in-tray as I liked the cover, the lady with the dark cowl and stick in the forest. She is missing the red apple in her hand to offer us, but you get my drift. Dark folk for witches incoming!
Let’s start with the press release.
The Press Release.
“Food for the Wyrm is the evolution of California singer-songwriter Beau James Wilding into a darker, deeper and more aggressively expressive direction that embraces tones of doom, drone and traditional folk channeled with a determined passion to make the most of our one precious life. It is a psychic exploration and a passionate quest to turn fear into growth, dread into excitement and practice acceptance of the wisdom of the dark depths of the unconscious. We will all become food for the wyrm. She waits in silent darkness to devour us all. Death is certain, only the time of death is not known. The clock is ticking, don’t waste your time, don’t waste your life.
“A Wicked Huntsman” is the debut release of California south coast project Food for the Wyrm. The project originated from the work of singer-songwriter Beau James Wilding and is an extension of his inclination to dig deeper into tones that are gritty and rough. Originally recorded in the live room at Analogue Catalogue Studios in rural Ireland in summer of 2024 with “Irish” Tom (bodhran and shruti box) and Frank Martian (electric guitar/synthesizer), then honed and polished with overdubs and final mixing taking place at Castaway 7 Studios in Ventura, California.
This is a folk record with punk and metal energies driving it forward, interpolated by psychedelic and doomful drone landscapes. The six core tracks are represented by six flowers native to the Irish countryside, each in turn representing six traumatic life experiences– betrayal, loss, shame, cruelty, addiction and ignorance. The concept is adroitly brought to life by artist Zein Hestnaes of Norway. The album consists of three wholly original compositions, three traditional songs re-interpreted and re-imagined and two covers from the folk lexicon, both interpreted, modified and re-imagined by Beau. The song selections and feeling of the music is meant to bring darkness into the light, to transcend trauma to find clarity and purpose on the other side.”
My Review:
The album was released May 23, 2026. It is available for streaming and on vinyl.
“Negredo Acoustic” a spartan, tenebrous opener. It echoes a chthonic vibe taking me toward the underworld. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting here but this sort of instrumental opening is the perfect scene setting for primal, subterranean dark-ambient/noise music – which is basically what we have here.
“Lowlands of Holland” made me think of a storm in the air. It opens with a kind of sound montage with folk textures, medieval touches, and a dark folk vocal bordering on the wraithlike. I tend to say how music makes me feel, and this is haunting. I sense the presence of Jenny Greenteeth in this forest, music of times long gone.
“Nobody’s Fault But Mine” picks up the mood a little. This is more toward the safety of the camp at night, but the winds howl and this guttural vocal presents us with a soundtrack for Hildegard’s 12th century play, Ordo Virtutum.
“Unfortunate Rake” leaves this opening note hanging while the rhythm builds. The song reflects back to the young man seeking his pleasure. It is a blending of heavy folk with a touch of instrumental jazz. It retains those cinematic touches for one of those scenes in the medieval ale house (around the time of the Black Death!).
“Lovers and Friends” – this saw me pull the blanket a little tighter, light a candle by the table and listen to the rhythms of the guitar. It is a song of memories and times of remembering older loves to a raised glass. I will certainly raise a glass to one old love, I may well curse another – but that’s life!
“Blacksmith” follows the storytelling aspect of folk music imbibed through this album. I have hooked into it now, and it provides a sound montage that builds, ebbs and flows like nature itself. It took me to a late night in Spain where the doors were open to the Spanish night and the sound of a guitar drifted in the night air – this is one of those.
“The Bells of Sleep” – a labyrinthine track, it has a spoken background narrative, like a distant radio announcement – but a dark and cloaking one. The instrumental elements introduce the tolling bell and, as per Geoffrey Chaucer, time waits for no man.”
“Rubedo Electric” – closes the album down with a discord and a drone. This ties up an album of dark folk, a rumbling nightmare for those awaiting the boatman.
There is something ancient moving beneath this album, something half-remembered from folklore, candle smoke and winter firesides. Food for the Wyrm do not simply play songs here; they conjure spaces, moods and ghosts. By the end, the boatman is waiting and the forest has long since swallowed the path home.
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Band Website here
Review by Stevie Ritson
Recorded at Analog Catalog in Rathfriland, Ireland.
Post-production and mixing at Castaway 7 in Ventura, CA.
Mastered at Moontree Mastering.
Produced by Beau James Wilding
Assistant producer: JP Hesser
Engineers: Carl Small, JP Hesser
Beau James Wilding plays acoustic guitar, vocals, slide guitar, accordion, Shruti box, bells and gongs.
Chad Martin plays electric guitar and synthesizer.
Tom Kenny plays bodhran and shruti box.
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