ALBUM REVIEW: Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose

Crypt Sermon are inarguably one of the strongest Doom Metal bands on the planet right now. It is with that bold statement, I am please to say they return with their third album. “The Stygian Rose” is set for release via Dark Descent Records on June 14th.

Firing in on all cylinders, the pulsating glow of ethereal Doom Metal is immediately grasping. Huge riffs packed with melody serpentine around superb drumming and mystifying leads. The magical feelings of Crypt Sermon we all know and love immediately alive as the morbid journey begins. Awash with memorable hooks both in the instruments but equally from the powerful vocal delivery, everything I adore about this band is vibrant and confident. There is a darker feeling to the music, and additionally perhaps more showmanship from everybody, but that original spirit is still there. Those progressive elements feel a bit more in the foreground than ever which could potentially go either way, as I personally prefer their more simplistic yet grandiose and sweeping theatrics. All the same, the music is still strong and I definitely feel curious to continue with whatever this record has to offer. There is something special about how this band pulls you in and “The Ruins Of Fading Light” remains one of my favourite Doom Metal records of recent years.

One thing that will always draw admiration from me is when a band can create huge atmospherics without it feeling too much like they’re trying too hard. Crypt Sermon have always historically managed to do so and it feels like that ability is still in their grasp as this record conjures spectral feelings rather effortlessly while they riff out. The raunchiness of the vocals feels a bit rougher than the previously much smoother approach but still retaining that mastery of melody. I am having a weird time with this album as there’s things I really love but some kind of block occurring that is caused by over-complications I can’t really fathom the necessity for. Some weird dissonant guitars sometimes just stand in the way of a strong riff which just makes a jarring effect, seeming forced rather than feeling sinister. “Heavy Is the Crown Of Bone” was a really strong example of the sound I had hoped for, a bit more eerie and yet with such a wicked impact to it. I really hope the future holds more of these moments.

When it hits its stride, this album is strong, but there are a lot of moments that hold it back from greatness as sad as that is to write about a band I really enjoy. Perhaps this album is ahead of the curve and I’m simply stuck in my ways of what I want, perhaps this album is for a new audience or perhaps it simply didn’t catch me in the right moment. All of those things are fine and if the band is moving forward to their own artistic direction for the right reasons, I commend them. Sometimes that happens naturally and doesn’t align with my own preferences, so be it, I can listen to those wonderful old records. But I still feel a little gloomy writing this review and can’t help but hope we get the old classic feeling back next time around.

This is some very good Doom Metal. There is no denying that. However I feel that the band have achieved better on their previous works and it’s really hard to not hold them to their own ridiculously high standards. My scoring reflects that, so if you seek great Doom Metal of the epic / traditional variety; then I am sure you will love this album, but maybe even more so its predecessors as I did. I would not say I am disappointed, but simply I am more likely to return to “The Ruins Of Fading Light” at more regular intervals. Doom Metal is not my every day genre though (as much as Heavy/Thrash/Black/Death/Speed stuff) and something has to really blow me away to hold up. All of this said, the musicianship is inarguably and unmistakably phenomenal. The talent on this album is insane and perhaps that’s why I am a little harsher, because I know the potential and abilities Crypt Sermon possess and we have witnessed them at their peak. Something I hope to hear from them again, but until then this remains a very good effort.