Album Review: Crom – The Era Of Darkness (From The Vaults)

A new battlefield opens up for German heavy/power metal unit Crom… and it’s an epic one! The Era of Darkness will arrive on January 13th, 2023, via From the Vaults.

The word ‘traditional’ might be a bit of a dirty one for some but seriously, there’s no better one to describe Crom’s new album and continued new direction. The Era of Darkness harks back to the glory days of heavy/power metal. Heavy on the riffs, filled with soloing, anthemic in a chest-beating way, and delightfully epic sounding. The 12 tracks of this album vary in length and quality, but one thing everyone can take away, is that Crom are on a path that is undeniably them now.

A lot of this lands at the feet of mastermind and vocalist, Walter “Crom” Grosse, who doesn’t hide his admiration for Bathory’s Quorthon. Something that is reflected in the smartly layered melodies and feel of an ever-expanding musical journey. The Era of Darkness feels big, and that’s not just because of the length.

It’s because Crom knows exactly when the music needs to be mellow, to be heavy, to be fast, to be grand, and to be a blend of all of that. The Era of Darkness isn’t just a name, it’s an incoming event, and it’s Crom that is bringing the gloom.

Yet, few won’t welcome it. As, aside from the occasional dull lull or drawn-out segment, this is an album that delivers on the promises of epic heavy/power metal. Albeit in a much more traditional way. Which, has to be stressed, is not a negative nor an excuse for Crom to sound aged and get away with it. It sounds like it belongs in 2023, even if it got here through a time machine.

It’s an album that fans of traditional heavy and power metal will love. An album that a lot of people can lose themselves in. An album that rarely bores, and proves constantly that Crom are on impressive form as of late.

Links

Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Shop