Stygian Crown‘s 2020 self-titled album led to a lot of head-scratching over at the RMR Review Desk. A debut full of rough ‘n’ dirty metal, stomping riffs, harsh blast beats, and the singer’s almighty roar. All the ingredients were there, with established veterans of pain and tribulation hard at work. Proto doom in action, like. And yet, this – thing often felt like a square peg in a round hole.
So, here we are more or less four years later and the band’s ready to unchain their sophomore album Funeral For a King. An interment worthy of a mighty sovereign or overwrought fantasy on a metallic plate? Join the wake.
The band invested considerable time and energy in crafting this new record. Trial and error, mercilessly weeding out ideas that didn’t sync – and I quote – “…with a fine-tooth comb.” And that’s hard work but also a strategy that already worked for scores of bands. And they did this with pretty much the same lineup as four years ago. The only change being Eric Bryan who officially integrated as the band’s bass player in 2023, away from his role as a live musician. So, Stygian Crown crafted themselves a fused gang of tough-as-nails members that will live this album. And it shows.
Already Funeral For A King (the shortest title track ever) proves to be a friggin’ thunderclap that sets the tone for this here record. The track’s a masterclass of progression in action, a magnanimous groove worthy of a crime Sorcerer might have committed. You can almost feel the miserable acolytes of the defunct marching on behind the coffin in the dust. Or – failing that – just check out the excellent album cover for guidance. I could actually see these guys moving along on their stony path.
And then – suddenly – the rumbling bass and Rhett Davis‘ merciless drumming smoothly lead into Bushido, the second track. By Loki’s tortured minions, this is one helluva change compared to the former record. Boundless energy meets rough ‘n’ brutal Proto Doom that seems to harken back to somewhere in the ’80s. This new offering vacillates somewhere between Candlemass, Bolt Thrower, and the aforementioned Sorcerer.
And Funeral for a King also finds Melissa Pinion fully unleashed and in fine form. You still won’t be able to escape her pitiless roar that often sounds like a stag in heat. And her impressive vibrato that’s – at the same time – perfectly aligned with the stomping doom on offer. And that’s where this singer is prone to a few home runs, whereas the slower parts or metal screams may not exactly be her forte. But – all critique apart – that’s frankly an impressive improvement over their 2020 debut.
Funeral for a King presents a melancholy feast ranging from sturdy, straightforward, hard-chuggin’ fare to Funeral Doom. But it is those cherries on the pie that really made us salivate. Such as the inclusion of the scratchy violin in two songs on the album. Blood Red Eyes truly shines with it – in addition to Pinion‘s crooning which was yet another surprise. Or the slow-marching special brand of Heavy Metal on Strait of Messina that will sprout some speedier maidenesque flavors somewhat later. Complete with one of those stellar solos.
Ultimately, though, we weren’t quite sure what to expect this time around. A true Funeral for a King or just some dirt nap in an unmarked grave. Stygian Crown‘s 2020 debut left us stumped with more questions than answers. So, what felt like an uncut diamond now morphed into a well-fashioned, darkly glowing Necklace ov Doom. And that’s mainly due to the band’s aforementioned very own efforts to avoid the – and I quote – “…dreaded sophomore slump.”
The outcome is a crisp, powerful, no-nonsense, and rough-hewn Doom Metal record that is a delight to listen to.1 Stygian Crown now has a spring in their step, a refreshing energy that led to an uptick in quality and production with a vocalist on fire. This is truly powerful traditional Doom with some Heavy Metal-ish injections here and there. Fueled by a stable and fully committed band that will – for sure – dazzle us with more tear-drenched woe in the future. Let’s just hope they won’t take another four years to do so.
Ed’s note: 2024 sent us more cool doom. Interested? Crypt Sermon beckons you.
Record Rating: 8/10 | Label: Cruz Del Sur Music | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 23 February 2024
- Too many times.-↩