Album Review: Stygian Crown – Stygian Crown (Cruz Del Sur Music)

On their debut self-titled album, Stygian Crown introduces the sound of “Candlethrower” to the world: A devastating combination of doom and death metal, topped off by classically-trained vocals!

Stygian Crown was formed in 2018 by former Morgion and current Gravehill drummer Rhett Davis, who tapped his Gravehill bandmates Nelson Miranda (guitar) and Jason Thomas (bass) to help launch the band. Morbid Eclipse guitarist Andy Hicks was the next to join, and with the help of longtime friend Bob Kassing, classically-trained vocalist Melissa Pinion was discovered after Kassing (who has since sadly passed away) introduced her to Davis. Shortly thereafter, Davis’s wife discovered a YouTube video of her singing a cover of Iron Maiden’s “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” making her the perfect fit for Stygian Crown.

The band released their first demo, Through Divine Rite, in 2018, then started work on what would become their self-titled album. Now due to be released on June 26th via Cruz Del Sur Music.

The dominant force in Stygian Crown, there’s no arguing with the power and range of the vocals. However, to say it’s all this doom/death mongers have going for them would be extremely unfair. The vocals sound so damn impactful because they’re singing over riffs that have all the thickness of solidifying tar. Then we have the bass and drum combo that just adds a much meatier doom depth to the album as a whole. It’s a wicked combination and credit to the band being able to make it all work so cohesively.

Fans of music that has weight behind it will enjoy this but if the thought of titanic slabs of doom is off-putting, give it a chance. The clean, soaring and grandiose vocals add some lightness and relief overall. Although Pinion is often the exclamation point to every single note.

At over 50 minutes long, it is a long one but the time just flies by in a blur of bleak and cold heaviness. 8 tracks of Stygian Crown laying the challenge down for any who might wish to dispute their doomy credentials.

Stygian Crown – Stygian Crown Full Track Listing:

1. The Hall of Two Truths
2. Devour the Dead
3. Up From the Depths
4. Through Divine Rite
5. Flametongue
6. When Old Gods Die
7. Trampled Into the Earth
8. Two Coins for the Ferryman

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Cruz Del Sur Music