Since starting these reviews, I’ve always been vocal about the simple pleasure and honor of being able to bare witness to the rise of many bands. Some of which have become underground sweethearts if not breaking through that barrier altogether or to see cult followings rise to give credit those stranded in obscurity for better or worse. Out of all the bands that I stumbled across in my time, Crypt Sermon has been one that I’m delighted to see get proper recognition. With the arrival of their highly anticipated third record, it’s clear the power of Crypt Sermon has yet to wane so much as an ounce.
Since day one, this has always been epic doom metal the likes of which we don’t see often enough. Talent unbound on top of all the riffs, atmosphere, and thematic heaviness that one could ask for, there’s a reason Crypt Sermon’s name is one of the hottest in any given year they come around. The arrival of “The Stygian Rose” rightfully proves to be no different. Made up of six sprawling tracks that offer only the best of what Crypt Sermon has become known for, “The Stygian Rose” is a downright intoxicating piece of epic doom metal that shows us what the genre can still be when it’s put into the right hands! Every decision throughout this record feels like the very best one that could’ve been made to ensure that this album isn’t just another collection of riffs and some missed marks, but, rather, a vastly engaging slab of heaviness that offers mysticism and power in such a form that leaves nothing on the table in the slightest. This is a supremely enchanting album that is constantly pulling you ever-further into the swirl of excellence that Crypt Sermon weaves with immense competency. Throughout the record we see Crypt Sermon’s longest song to date alongside a fresh coat of paint to make the band more refined than ever before with it being every given facet of “The Stygian Rose” that it can very well be argued that Crypt Sermon has reached a new peak.
While I am still extremely in love with all that was brought forth nine years ago with “Out of the Garden”, it’s here within the whole of “The Stygian Rose” that we see Crypt Sermon tap into that very same magic. We have already seen some extremely tough competition this year when it comes to mastery from every possible part of the metal spectrum, and it’s now that Crypt Sermon only feeds the fire of such magnificence.
LISTEN to “The Stygian Rose” on Bandcamp here.
LIKE Crypt Sermon on Facebook here.
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