In a genre with such clearly defined characteristics as epic doom metal, it can be difficult to stand out. Usually, it would require above average songwriting and an exceptional singer to do so. Stygian Crown has both, but they also have a stylistic twist that makes them quite distinctive. Their riffing has obvious nods to the more doomy side of the death metal spectrum. It’s a combination that has made Capilla Ardiente one of my current favorite metal bands, and while Stygian Crown has a silightly different take on it, their sophomore album ‘Funeral for a King‘ truly is a must-hear for doom metal fans.

Stygian Crown’s riff work owes more to early Asphyx or Bolt Thrower than it does to old school Peaceville doom-death, and there are still plenty of distinct Candlemass-isms in their compositions as well. Either extreme works surprisingly and spectacularly well with Melissa Pinion’s deep, expressive alto. Her voice is what keeps Stygian Crown firmly within the more traditional doom metal realm, though I’m having a hard time thinking of doom singers who sound like her. Pinion’s vibrato and dramatic delivery bring Messiah Marcolin to mind, but her overall tone is deeper and more rocky, though still quite operatic in nature.

What will stand out most to those who heard Stygian Crown’s self-titled debut, however, is how much heavier the guitar sound on ‘Funeral for a King’ is. To achieve this, Rhett A. Davis’ drums had to be pushed back a little, but I do think the overall sound profits from this change. The riffs Nelson Tomas Miranda and Andy Hicks lay down have a lot of body to them, but without pushing Eric Bryan’s bass off the album, something which especially stands out during the album’s slowest, heaviest moments, such as ‘The Bargain’ and ‘Scourge of the Seven Hills’.

Consistency is something that characterizes the better doom metal albums, and ‘Funeral for a King’ is no different. It still has its stand-out moments, however. On a stylistic level, one would be ‘Blood Red Eyes’, a haunting piece for piano, violin and vocals that truly highlights Pinion’s qualities as a singer. ‘Where the Candle Always Burns’ is another favorite due to its surprisingly dynamic nature despite never leaving the confines of doom metal. ‘Bushido’ shows Stygian Crown at its fastest and most aggressive, ‘Strait of Messina’ is the perfect dynamic closer, while ‘Beauty and Terror’ might be built upon the album’s best riffs.

One thing Stygian Crown proves is that you don’t even need to deviate that far from the epic doom metal norm in order to stand out. Sure, the slower death metal riffing sets them apart, but what really makes ‘Funeral for a King’ so good is quality songwriting and a great understanding of dynamics. Having a fantastic singer doesn’t hurt either. It’s impressive how the band manages to fire so many pummeling riffs at the listener for most of the album’s 43 minutes without it ever getting exhausting. Definitely one of the great doom metal bands to look out for in the next few years.

Recommended tracks: ‘Where the Candle Always Burns’, ‘Strait of Messina’, ‘Beauty and Terror’, ‘Bushido’