Band:	Stygian Crown
Album:	Stygian Crown
Style:	Doom metal
Release date:	June 2020

01. The Hall Of Two Truths
02. Devour The Dead
03. Up From The Depths
04. Through Divine Rite
05. Flametongue
06. When Old Gods Die
07. Trampled Into The Earth
08. Two Coins For The Ferryman

"It's a concoction we call 'Candlethrower'. We wanted to expand on the approach of bands like Candlemass and Bolt Thrower - our new material combines both". This record better be good, I thought when I read this. I don't take kindly to bands that take names like Candlemass and Bolt Thrower in vain.

Stygian Crown were formed by ex-Morgion and current Gravehill drummer Rhett Davis who also recruited his band mates Nelson Miranda on guitar and Jason Thomas on bass. Morbid Eclipse guitarist Andy Hicks joined next but they were still lacking a vocalist; Melissa Pinion is a commanding frontwoman, singing her lyrics that are based on Egyptian and Greek history and mythology with power and passion, and adding to the ominous atmosphere of the music with her synths.

This is a very promising epic doom debut, featuring all the components that make epic doom great; stentorian vocals, sturdy bass lines, blood-pumping riffs, cannonball-firing drums... it's all here. The reference to this album being a Candlemass / Bolt Thrower fusion is not far off. The riffs and the atmosphere evoke the Swedish doom masters, while UK's death metal war machine is heard on the rumbling bass, the demolishing guitar tone, as well as the hard-hitting drums; and god damn does Rhett Davis pound those drums.

To get back to the riffs, those are super heavy and don't disappoint, even though the songs themselves seem to drag a little more than they should. The leads and solos have enough substance and are very melodic, often manifesting some very welcome oriental influences. Melissa's dominant voice is all-pervading and her timbre is very fitting for this music but I have to say that it overall feels a bit monochromatic to the point that it can become slightly tiresome at times.

As far as songwriting goes, the basis is classic slow and heavy doom riffage that is mixed with massive groove ("Devour The Dead") or with quick-paced urgency ("Flametongue"). Then again, songs like "Up From The Depths" and "Trampled Into The Earth" feature all of the above. The vinyl fans will not unfortunately enjoy the stonery "When All Gods Die" and its gorgeous solo, but they will be treated with the album's best-flowing, catchiest, and closing track, "Two Coins For The Ferryman". Stygian Crown really ended their debut on a high with some tasty keys and a very memorable chorus.

Is it groundbreaking? No, and with song lengths ranging from 6'15'' to 8'30'', it also feels that the band should improve their editing skills. Is it good? It certainly is, and leaves a lot to expect for the future from this band. For now though, Stygian Crown has all the elements that people look for in epic doom metal and fans of the style should definitely check it out.

"The embers have grown cold
In our barren stronghold
We grow weary as the sun escapes the sky"