Traveler isn’t the only band who hasn’t released an album since 2020 that we’re tackling today. We’re also catching up with Californian epic doom disciples, Stygian Crown, who absolutely blew our minds with their self titled debut album. What stood out the most about this band and subsequently this album was the sheer heaviness of the guitars. Yes, doom metal is a genre where such a trope is the norm, but in the case of Stygian Crown, here was an outfit unleashing guitar riffage less characteristic of traditional doom and more in line with the likes of Bolt Thrower and Cianide. To say it was a unique spin on an otherwise orthodox genre would be an understatement.
Fast forward four years and Stygian Crown have returned to reclaim their epic doom crown, so to speak. Their second album, Funeral for a King, is not so much a continuation of their debut, but rather an expansion upon. Whether the motive was intentional or not, there is a refined approach to the songwriting and musicality of this album, as well as an all around sense of maturity. All this, mind you, while still managing to come off as crushingly heavy and undeniably metal. Fear not headbangers: Musical pandering to the hipster doom crop, this is not.
While Stygian Crown was undeniably epic, Funeral expands upon these epic leanings, resulting in many of these hymns recalling contemporaries Smoulder and even the legendary Manilla Road. This is most prominent on cuts like “Bushido”, “The Bargain”, and “Strait of Messina” (Does this imply the existence of a “Strait of Loggins”? Inquiring minds must know!). The Messiah Marcolin-esque vocal delivery of frontwoman Melissa Pinion, coupled with the unpredictable direction of the overall arrangement, makes for a wildly invigorating listen, towing the line ever so subtly between classic doom and traditional metal.
For those who prefer their doom with an extra helping of, well, doom, Stygian Crown has you covered there too! “Scourge of the Seven Hills” and “Where the Candle Always Burns” recall Candlemass at their absolute bleakest (Think the mid ’00s era). More than just mindless plodding, these riffs grip your very soul and dare you to turn down the volume dial. This is especially the case on my choice cut, “Beauty and Terror”. The “beauty” is the aforementioned epic leanings that sweep the listener off their feet. The “terror” is a breakdown switchover that needs to be heard to be believed. Good luck topping this faceless slam band #8,293!
As the once sunny Chicago sky outside my window turns into a foreboding gray, Funeral for a King is the perfect way to conclude my album reviewing day. Furthermore, it’s bound to be a doom metal stronghold of the year, as I can’t imagine many more albums in this realm coming close in terms of freshness and creativity. Sure, I could be wrong, but let’s not beat around the bush: These fantasy crazed warriors send your favorite pot smoking hesher band home on a stretcher. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
7 out of 10
Label: Cruz del Sur Music
Genre: Epic Doom Metal
For fans of: Candlemass, Bolt Thrower, Smoulder