Single Review: The Witness

Auckland four-piece Coridian have well and truly earned their stripes as one of NZ’s highest quality rock acts. With two records, multiple music videos, high profile tours and plenty of streams under their belts, The Witness proves to be yet another worthy addition to their catalogue.

The Witness is about recognising the value of the present moment and making decisions that impact the here and now – rather than the afterlife.

A brooding intro gives way to an upbeat first verse with some subtle technicality on display by drummer Kris Raven. Mike Raven’s delicate, delayed guitars in the verse thrust into a vast sounding chorus and Dity opens up with his full vocal tone. Meanwhile Nick Raven’s bass lays a consistent foundation for the band to launch from. The Witness is expertly composed, and in particular I enjoyed the heavy half time section to finish.

The song is sonically impeccable thanks to the veteran handiwork on the console by mixer/producer extraordinaire Zorran Mendonsa and the outstanding performances by Coridian. The accompanying music video is brightly coloured, high energy and possesses an intensity to match the song. Visually this is an expansion past the standard rock trope of dark, dingy sets and it feels refreshing.

Directed and animated by Mardo El-Noor with a co-production credit to the man himself, Dity Maharaj (vocalist for Coridian), this video stands apart as a point of difference to other rock releases – something that Coridian has made a habit of in recent years (I’m thinking of their videos for Better Off and Reflections).

First Rite of Passage and now The Witness gives Coridian fans a vision of what is to come with the new record Eldur - and it sounds as if the wind is blowing in Coridian’s favour.