Epicus Doomicus Metallicus

Crypt Sermon – The Ruins of Fading Light Review

Crypt Sermon – The Ruins of Fading Light Review

Crypt Sermon came out of nowhere with their 2015 Out of the Garden debut, stunning metaldom with an unusually mature take on doom in the Candlemass vein. The high level of songwriting and top-notch performances earned them a lot of attention in a hurry, and before the band knew it, they were an overnight doom sensation, getting asked to play numerous festivals and having their name mentioned in the same breath as more established doom acts. 2019 brings them to the crucible of the dreaded sophomore release, which has made and unmade many a band over the years.” Ominous omens.

Candlemass – The Door to Doom Review

Candlemass – The Door to Doom Review

“It’s interesting to watch things come full circle with Candlemass. Having helped reboot doom metal in the 80s with their excellent Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, the band launched a career spanning several decades. While their output varied in quality over the years, they are rightfully considered a legendary doom band. 2012s Psalms for the Dead was supposed to be their swan song, and founder Leif Edling has since kept busy with his Avatarium and Krux projects. The urge to reform his original band proved too great however, and for this reunion Leif even managed to dig up original vocalist Johan Langquist, who hasn’t done anything since Epicus Doomicus.” Doom at your door.

Exitus – Statutum Est Hominibus Mori Review

Exitus – Statutum Est Hominibus Mori Review

“What catapults one album to the front of a promo pile (seeing it reviewed on countless sites), and has the next album lurching and blundering along, no reviews, the band lost in obscurity? Active only between 89 and 90, Finnish doom thrashster’s Exitus suffered just such a fate with their one and only release Statutum Est Hominibus Mori seeing the light as a demo sold to friends. A lifetime later (23 years to be exact) Svart Records saw fit to drag this dusty masterpiece kicking and screaming out into the sun, pulled a little remastering magic out of the hat and wham Exitus are back!” Madam X uses the release of a long buried demo from an unknown act to jump into the whole “retro-spective review” craze. Yep, now she’s a bandwagon gal.

Candlemass – Psalms for the Dead Review

Candlemass – Psalms for the Dead Review

What a long, strange trip it’s been, eh friends? That pretty much describes the career arc of the doom metal institution that is Candlemass. After a classic debut and three outstanding releases helmed by the mad monk Marcolin, Leif Edling’s doom troupe has watched their stock rise and fall enough to make the average trader leap to his death in abject frustration.