Crypt Sermon - 'Heavy is the Crown of Bone' (official video)

Once through the mirror
The candles hushed their light
A winged stag appears with tail aflame

Three binding corners
This ghastly shadowed sight
An angel bound and begging
“Take these chains”

“Just take these chains,
“O take these chains”
This is no king I see before me
So I open the vein

It speaks in whispers
Of truth and of divine
It speaks of carnal
Wisdom with no shame

Bring me the chains
I can handle the pain
In the dark I could swear
I saw a sly smile
I can hear the angel say,

“I am not the heir apparent
Just a pretender to the throne
Wretched disciples on my counsel
We’ve lived in hell so long it’s home
Heavy is the crown of bone”

Με τους Crypt Sermon ασχολούμαστε σχεδόν από τα ξεκινήματα της καριέρας τους. Μπάντα επικού doom metal εξ Αμερικής (USA, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), η οποία δημιουργήθηκε πριν από μία ενδεκάδα έτη και έχει κυκλοφορήσει ένα demo και δύο "ολοκληρωμένους" δίσκους ("Out of the Garden" 2015, "The Ruins of Fading Light" 2019). Ο τρίτος βρίσκεται προ των πυλών. "The Stygian Rose" ο τίτλος και αναμένεται στα μέσα του πρώτου καλοκαιρινού μήνα...

Δελτίο τύπου: «Dark heavy metallers Crypt Sermon unveil their bewitching new album, The Stygian Rose, under the Dark Descent banner.

Featuring guitarist Steve Jansson (Daeva, Unrest), vocalist Brooks Wilson (Unrest), drummer Enrique Sagarnaga (Daeva, The Silver), guitarist Frank Chin (Daeva), bassist Matt Knox (Horrendous, The Silver) and keyboardist Tanner Anderson (Obsequiae, Majesties), the Philadelphia-based sextet parlayed their time away from the spotlight into a grander, more mysterious Crypt Sermon.

The interflow of doom and heavy metals underpins The Stygian Rose, but these boundaries are effortlessly transcended. From the blistering solo salvo of "Glimmers in the Underworld" and the commanding rhythm of "Heavy is the Crown of Bone" to the evocative Near Eastern vibes of "Thunder (Perfect Mind)" and the intricate, masterful journey of the 11-minute title track, The Stygian Rose epitomizes the band's burgeoning musical and conceptual prowess.

"We wanted The Stygian Rose to scratch a lot of itches that aren't being scratched," says guitarist Steve Jansson. "That's my goal when I make music. I want to make things that I don't hear other people doing or at least don't hear others doing all in one package. The music also has to have staying power and replay value. [I wanted] that addictive feeling you had when you listened to records as a teenager."

Crypt Sermon tracked The Stygian Rose with acclaimed producer Arthur Rizk (Blood Incantation, Cirith Ungol) and engineer Aidan Elias (Blood Incantation, Wayfarer) at Redwoods in Philadelphia. Although Rizk handled Out of the Garden (2015) and The Ruins of Fading Light (2019), the team captured the band's multi-genre chaplet in a new light this time.

Singles "Glimmers in the Underworld," "Heavy is the Crown of Bone" and "Thunder (Perfect Mind)" are frighteningly effective in their [Neil] Kernon-esque production. At the same time, deep album tracks "Scrying Orb," "Down in the Hollow" and "The Stygian Rose" cast long, mysterious shadows.

Rizk summoned from Crypt Sermon the same big-stage sound producers Dave Jerden and Rick Rubin coaxed out of Alice In Chains and Trouble, respectively. "We knew we wanted an aggressive sound", singer Brooks Wilson says. "Like [Metallica's] Black album or [Queensrÿche's] Operation: Mindcrime with loud smashing rock drums.

The guitars had to be aggressive and loud. The bass had to be tuned in more than on our previous albums. The bass had to be clean and deep. We were generally after a more clean, distinct, and audible production. The Stygian Rose has way more depth than anything we've done before."

Adorned with captivating artwork and featuring an enchanting (yet dark) lyrical concept by Wilson, this is Crypt Sermon’s level-up moment. Dive into The Stygian Rose and experience its rich rewards.»

Band: Crypt Sermon
Country of origin: United States
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Formed in: 2013
Genre: Epic Doom Metal
Years active: 2013-present

Video: "Heavy is the Crown of Bone"
Album: "The Stygian Rose"
Type: Full length
Release date: June 14th, 2024
Label: Dark Descent Records
Format: CD, 12" vinyl, Cassette, Digital

Track listing:
1. Glimmers in the Underworld 08:13
2. Thunder (Perfect Mind) 05:53
3. Down in the Hollow 06:31
4. Heavy Is the Crown of Bone 05:08
5. Scrying Orb 07:55
6. The Stygian Rose 11:10

Band members:
Brooks Wilson - Vocals
Enrique Sagarnaga - Drums
Steve Jansson - Guitars
Frank Chin - Guitars
Matt Knox - Bass
Tanner Anderson - Keyboards

Miscellaneous staff:
Brooks Wilson - Artwork
Scott Kinkade - Photography
Aidan Elias - Engineering
Arthur Rizk - Producer, Mixing, Mastering