NORTHERN CROWN – In the Hands of the Betrayer
- by Matt Coe
- Posted on 18-10-2014
Here we have a 5 song debut EP from Florida’s Northern Crown, a band that straddles the fence between classic doom and epic heavy metal. "In the Hands of the Betrayer" contains 4 originals plus a Candlemass cover of "Crystal Ball" from their debut "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus". Vocalist/ guitarist Frank Serafine has a lot of Ronnie James Dio meets Robert Lowe qualities when you take in the 7 minute plus "A Perfectly Realized Torment" or the funeral crawling 11 minute plus "To Thee I Give an Orchid". Rich, evil down-tuned riffing, lumbering tempos, everything one would expect from a doom band that reveres the classic template and also loves historical heavy metal.
Chief doomologist Zachary Randall handles guitars, bass, and keyboards – while special guests fill out the drums, lead guitars and additional bass/ keyboard parts. Sparseness builds tension – creating light out of darkness. Northern Crown are off to a brilliant start here, this should be mandatory for those into early Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, and a bit of Pentagram.
www.facebook.com/NorthernCrownDoom