Hemlock Branch

Hemlock Branch is a Cincinnati, Ohio band formed in 2021, with an eclectic mix of sounds and influences coalescing to make what could be described as gothic rock, melancholy rock, or "doomgaze," since they tend to blend a lot of elements of both doom metal and shoegaze.

They utilize dual female/male vocals, having the powerful voice of Amy Jo Combs (Subrosa [Cinci], ex-Viva La Foxx, ex-Soapland Music) and doom metal lifer, Scotty T. Simpson (Opium Doom Cult, ex-Beneath Oblivion) singing and handling the guitar duties. Their bass player, Derda Karakaya (ex-Nokken, ex-Pourbon, ex-Mammoths on Giants) recently immigrated from Turkey to the USA, coming from a background of death metal, prog, and experimental music around Istanbul, now finding himself in Hemlock Branch. Drums are played by David Howell (ex-White Walls, ex-Siblings, ex-Vanity Creeps), with a cadence ranging from sad and brooding to a much more aggressive punk rock and post-hardcore kind of style. Finally, the last member to join was doom metal bassist turned keyboardist, playing piano, organ and synthesizer, Keith Messerle (ex-Beneath Oblivion) bringing atmospheric sounds and psychedelic grooves to Hemlock Branch.