There is a yearning in the human soul that seeks more than shiny things and insincere relationships. It is a part of us that few explore, but those who do find comfort in the work of creation. A tireless, sometimes agonizing experience, it is all part of what it means to be alive, and bands like Blackwater Holylight have done their very best to capture this in their music.
Taking shape back in 2016 in the naturally beautiful but often rain-drenched, biting-chill region of Oregon, Blackwater Holylight was formed by Bassist/Vocalist Allison “Sunny” Faris, seeking a new avenue of creation after the demise of prior projects. Seeking something heavier and exploring a personal interest in Heavy Metal, Faris recruited a list of talented local musicians to join on, going on to sign with RidingEasy Records and release a debut self-titled album in 2018. Following up on Veils of Winter in 2019, Blackwater Holylight attracted plenty of attention in the local Oregon scene (alongside other talented bands like Hoaxed) with a sound that featured Doom Metal riffs, an ethereal, haunting atmosphere, and enchanting, distant vocals.
Two records which proved Blackwater Holylight had something of substance to offer, changes were coming, because in September 2021, Faris, along with Guitarist Mikayla Mayhew and Drummer Eliese Dorsay, decided to relocate to Los Angeles. A big move from the Pacific Northwest to Southern California meant staying behind was their fourth member, Synthesist Sarah McKenna. Shifting the band from a four-piece to a trio, it was tough lose considering they had a strong bond with one another. However, Blackwater Holylight had spent most of their days in Oregon and felt it was time to push their boundaries and test the world outside their comfort zone.
A brave move that most never want to even think about (because many seldom travel 10 miles outside their hometown), Blackwater Holylight not only altered their life situation, but also found their music branching off in different directions. As part of their growth and exploration, they did not abandon their roots but merely added new textures, as evidenced by their 2021 album Silence/Motion. Granted, the album was written and recorded before the band’s official relocation, but you could still tell changes were on the way.
With all of this in mind, after much time to reflect on the music, life, and a new path, in 2026, Blackwater Holylight returns with their new album Not Here Not Gone. Set for release on January 30, 2026, via the band’s new label, Suicide Squeeze Records, it is the fitting next step after releasing the four-track EP If You Only Knew. A new chapter, by deliberately slowing down their creative process to tap into something new, Blackwater Holylight has done something special with Not Here Not Gone.
Their fourth full-length album, featuring 10 songs, 3 arrived as singles late in 2025 and into early 2026 (“Heavy, Why?,” “Involuntary Haze,” and “Bodies”). Songs with rich texture and vocals that are more upfront in the music than ever before, you cannot help but be mesmerized by it all. What some might call a hybrid between dreamy Alternative Rock (like Mazzy Star or Slowdive) and Doom Metal, Blackwater Holylight seems to be more refined than ever before in terms of the song’s intent. Melodic, carefully produced, and exceptionally effective, each track on Here Not Gone provokes a different emotion.
A lot to dig into, tracks like “How Will You Feel” immediately sink into you, while “Involuntary Haze” drapes with you an overwhelming, beautiful sadness thanks to Faris’ lead. This is while “Heavy, Why?” has a sensational Doom Metal effect, feeling like an enchantress is luring you into the woods. Then you have heavy sludginess with “Spades,” delightful clarity with “Void To Be,” and more spellbinding effects with “Fade.”
Overall, Not Here Not Gone is an album that should immediately attract the heavy music fan who desires atmosphere and the push-and-pull of the light and dark within. It is a balance of melancholic tones, some pretty aggressive guitar riffs, and ear-tingling vocals. That is why Cryptic Rock highly recommends Blackwater Holylight, giving Not Here Not Gone 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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