Perhaps the root cause of everything, Coven is likely responsible for inspiring Black Sabbath, Mercyful Fate, Venom, Electric Wizard, Jex Thoth, Witchfinder General, and all the other bands obsessed with witches and the devil. For their time (and arguably even today), they were an excessively satanic band, deeply entwined with occultism. Their lyrics revolve around themes of the devil, witches, black magic, satanic rituals, horror, and the occult—topics that made waves throughout the ’60s and ’70s.
Coven’s biggest weapon, of course, is the vocals of Jinx Dawson. Though reminiscent of Grace Slick—whom I adore as a vocalist—Jinx’s voice carries a hypnotic, enchanting quality that truly captivates. Her vocals are simultaneously alluring, dark, and fierce, elevating this album to cult status and making Coven a band apart.
Musically, the album largely fits into the psychedelic rock mold typical of the ’60s. However, unlike other psychedelic bands of the era, it’s not cheerful or energetic—instead, it embodies a dark, trippy, and mysterious atmosphere. The band’s extensive use of keyboards contributes greatly to this eerie vibe, with bizarre, witchy effects that completely blow your mind. Coupled with Jinx’s vocal delivery, the result is something utterly maddening and mesmerizing.
In short, this album stands as one of the darkest and most extreme records of ’60s psychedelia. Give it a listen, let yourself go mad.