STYGIAN CROWN

Stygian Crown CRUZ DEL SUR

Top-notch classic doom from the City Of Angels

With a glowering, abyssal undertow that proclaims sincere contempt for the LA sunshine, Stygian Crown make no bones about their devotion to doom metal purity. Owing a huge debt to Candlemass and Solitude Aeternus, these are songs hewn from the essence of slow-coach heaviness, and with a vocalist, Melissa Pinion, whose charisma and power will pin you to the wall. Although inherently traditional, Through Divine Rite and When Old Gods Die

have a subversive edge. The former boasts at least two riffs that would grace any Asphyx album, while the latter morphs from woozy psychedelia to all-out noise rock attack. Underpinning it all is a profound respect and love for The Riff. Doom goes on, and in style. ■■■■■■■■■■

FOR FANS OF: Candlemass, Spirit Adrift, Avatarium

DOM LAWSON