ALBUM REVIEW: The Stygian Rose – Crypt Sermon
Stygian: extremely dark, gloomy, or forbidding. These three words perfectly capture the essence of The Stygian Rose, the latest and greatest from Philadelphia’s doom metal maestros, CRYPT SERMON. Already celebrated for their earlier works, Out Of The Garden (2015) and The Ruins Of Fading Light (2019), the band return after a five-year hiatus with a thunderous new album that proves they’ve only gotten better with time.
From a production standpoint, The Stygian Rose is a treat for the ears. Reuniting with renowned producer Arthur Rizk (known for his work with BLOOD INCANTATION and CIRITH UNGOL), the band ensure a crystal clear and organically rich sound, avoiding the pitfalls of overproduction. This is immediately evident on the opening track, Glimmers Of The Underworld, which kicks off with a powerful explosion of dual guitars and drums before settling into a groove that would make CANDLEMASS proud.
Indeed, CANDLEMASS’ influence is unmistakable throughout the album. Their theatrical approach to doom metal permeates The Stygian Rose, which is sure to be a reassurance for long-time fans. The more traditional metal elements introduced in The Ruins Of Fading Light continue to shine here, with thunderous gallops, dramatic leads and solos. This album fuses the best of CRYPT SERMON’s past into something thrillingly new for the band.
The first four tracks serve up a hearty helping of classic trad-doom metal; Thunder (Perfect Mind) slows the pace down while upping the theatrics, with Down In The Hollow sounding like 80s cult icons SAVATAGE at their darkest. Heavy Is The Crown Of Bone opens with an almighty groove that reoccurs throughout the track, adding progressive flourishes with unusual time signatures.
It’s the final two epics where CRYPT SERMON truly flex their creative muscles. The Scrying Orb plunges into full gothic melodrama, complete with enchanting keyboards and a deeply theatrical performance from vocalist Brooks Wilson. With anthemic choruses and 80s-inspired solos, it’s a standout example of classic doom. However, the album’s true masterpiece is the closing and title track, The Stygian Rose. Beginning with a mournful piano, the song slowly builds over its eleven-minute runtime, ebbing and flowing through colossal riffs, virtuoso guitar work, and crooning vocals—a grand and fitting finale.
Unlike some of their peers, CRYPT SERMON avoid the trap of overstaying their welcome. With a runtime just shy of 45 minutes, The Stygian Rose packs an abundance of ideas into six tracks without veering into excess. Each song, while lengthy, remains engaging and prevents any clock-watching. For those craving a hit of classic doom-inspired metal , The Stygian Rose is an irresistible listen. While its influences are clear, the exceptional songwriting ensures it feels fresh and original, making this CRYPT SERMON’s finest work to date.
Rating: 9/10
The Stygian Rose is out now via Dark Descent Records.
Like CRYPT SERMON on Facebook.