The Italian doom trio known as Krownn make no bones about their love for all things sword & sorcery on their new CD Hyborian Age. With lyrics based on the writings of famous fantasy authors such as Howard, Tolkien, Moorcock, & Martin, and cool cover art to boot, much of what you get here on their latest is quite simply crushing dark fantasy themed doom. Sure, the obvious influences are Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Danzig, Alice in Chains, Candlemass, and Cathedral, but Michele el Lello Carnielli (Vocals, Guitars), Silvia Selvaggia Rossato (Bass Guitar), and Elena Fiorenzano (Drums) do what they do quite well and pack plenty of punch. Don't let the fact that Krownn contains two female members fool you, as this band knows their doom and kicks some serious ass. Guitarist el Lello sings like cross between Zack Wylde, Glenn Danzig, and Layne Staley (complete with a Southern drawl and no hint of an Italian accent), and really churns out some crushing riffage on tracks like "For the Throne of Fire" and "The Woodwose". The booming "At the Cromlech" mixes some psychedelic space rock ala Hawkwind with behemoth Black Sabbath styled heaviness, while the feedback & fuzz soaked instrumental "Stormborn" really cooks with some Black Label Society/Saint Vitus/Black Sabbath fueled intensity. El Lello's yearning vocal 'I sleep alone, I sleep alone' permeates the undulating, groove laden dirge that is "The Melnibonean", an unsettling and eerie close to this heavy, doomy affair.
Hyborian Age is a serious, crushing doom album from this very 'un-Italian' sounding band. The whole 'dark fantasy' themes add even more intrigue to what is a very old school styled doom album. Check it out.
Track Listing
1.
For the Throne of Fire 06:24
2.
The Woodwose 06:20
3.
At The Cromlech 05:19
4.
Gods of Magnitogorsk 06:59
5.
Stormborn (Instrumental) 07:56
6.
The Melnibonean 06:11
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