spelewithiipi by Nechochwen

For over a decade, Nechochwen has bridged the gap between history and mythology, folklore and personal journey. With “spelewithiipi”, the West Virginian duo returns to their earliest roots – trading the weight of distortion for the delicate power of dark folk.

“spelewithiipi” is the sound of rivers that remember, of trails worn by centuries of footsteps, of stories whispered through leaves and stone. Nechochwen weaves rich acoustic instrumentation with an immersive sense of place, crafting melodies steeped in the Eastern Woodlands’ indigenous past. Echoes of Nest, Tenhi, and October Falls resonate throughout, but the heart of the album belongs to the Ohio River Valley – the spelewithiipi, the Big Turkey River – its wild beauty flowing through every note.

This is an album of patience and reverence, composed slowly over eleven years, gathering shape and meaning. It is a tribute to forgotten pathways and the wisdom they carry. From the spectral visions of “othaškwa’alowethi behme” to the contemplative stillness of “Precipice of Stone”, each piece is a portal – to memory, to mystery, to the primordial pulse of the land itself.

Cover artwork by Poke, with additional elements by Mark Sevedstam.

Nechochwen blends atmospheric folk and black metal to explore Native American themes, particularly of the Eastern Woodland Indians. Their music features acoustic guitar, indigenous instruments, and atmospheric soundscapes, creating melancholic, introspective storytelling that honors Native American history, culture, and spirituality.