Review: “A Poison Tree” by Tyger Band – A Dark Blues Incarnation of Wrath
This music video presents a chilling and powerful musical adaptation of William Blake’s classic poem, “A Poison Tree.” Performed by Tyger Band, the song utilizes the heavy, rhythmic foundations of Delta Blues and Swamp Blues to explore the dark consequences of suppressed anger.
Narrative and Lyrical Themes
The lyrics faithfully follow Blake’s allegory of wrath. The story begins with a simple contrast: anger expressed to a friend vanishes, while anger hidden from a foe grows into something monstrous [00:36]. The “tree” of wrath is nurtured with fears and tears, eventually bearing a seductive but deadly “apple bright” [01:29]. The song culminates in the grim image of the foe outstretched beneath the tree, a victim of the narrator’s nurtured malice [02:13].
Musical Style and Atmosphere
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Swamp Blues Influence: The choice of Swamp Blues is particularly effective here. The slow, driving beat and the “thick” guitar tones create an atmosphere of creeping dread, perfectly mirroring the slow growth of the poison tree.
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Vocal Delivery: The vocals are delivered with a haunting, gritty intensity. The repetition of the opening lines [02:25, 03:12] serves to emphasize the psychological loop of resentment and the inevitability of its dark conclusion.
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Sonic Texture: The instrumentation feels raw and earthy, evoking the image of a dark, damp garden where something sinister is taking root. The blues structure adds a sense of “inevitable fate” to the poetic narrative.
Why It is a Masterpiece
Tyger Band successfully transforms a 1794 poem into a modern blues anthem. By removing the pastoral softness often associated with poetry and replacing it with the raw honesty of the blues, they highlight the timeless and dangerous nature of human emotion. The transition from “tears” to “deceitful wiles” [01:03] is felt deeply through the music’s brooding tempo.
“A Poison Tree” is a standout track for anyone who appreciates the intersection of literature and roots music. It is a dark, atmospheric journey that stays true to William Blake’s warning while providing a fresh, swampy perspective on one of the most famous poems in the English language.
Watch the official video here: A Poison Tree – Tyger Band (Official Music Video)
From the video description…
🌑🌿 A POISON TREE – WHEN SILENCE TURNS TO VENOM 🌿🌑
“A Poison Tree” by Tyger Band is a dark, swamp-soaked blues adaptation of William Blake’s iconic poem, exploring how suppressed anger grows into something deadly.
Built on Delta Blues roots, gritty harmonica lines, acoustic guitar tension, and swampy electric riffs, the song slowly blooms—just like the poisoned tree itself—into a haunting moral tale.
This is a story of unspoken wrath, false smiles, and the quiet violence of repression, told through mud-stained blues and shadowy grooves.
🎸 Genre: Delta Blues • Swamp Blues • Swamp Rock
📜 Original Poem: William Blake – A Poison Tree
🎧 For listeners who love:
- Traditional Delta Blues
- Swamp Rock
- Southern Blues
- Literary-inspired music
- Acoustic slide & resonator guitar
- Delta Blues
- Swamp Blues
- Howlin’ Wolf
- Creedence Clearwater Revival
💬 Question for listeners:
Is silence more dangerous than anger spoken out loud?
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