Crypt Sermon have dropped a new single “Glimmers In The Underworld” ahead of their forthcoming full length record Stygian Rose due out June 14. Crypt Sermon tracked The Stygian Rose at Redwoods in Philadelphia. Arthur Rizk produced, mixed, and mastered, and Aidan Elias (Blood Incantation, Wayfarer) engineered.
Vocalist Brooks Wilson comments:
“‘Glimmers in the Underworld’ gives both a broad overview of the musical palette contained in the album beyond while also introducing the lengths to which our unnamed protagonist will go in order to find spiritual fulfillment as they engage in a fictionalized Abremelin ritual.”
The Stygian Rose follows a character inspired by Paschal Beverly Randolf, an early American spiritualist and sex magician. This mysterious character seeks to reconnect with his now maybe dead or lost idealized female, an embodiment of the Sophia/Shakti/Persephone divine wisdom/feminine concept.
This lost love is believed to be waiting for him, calling for him from “the hollow.” Conceived by Brooks Wilson, the protagonist’s journey begins with “Glimmers in the Underworld” and ends with the title track. The story, as it’s told through song lyrics, is directly connected to the album’s artwork and booklet, painted and illustrated by Wilson himself.
Regarding the interplay of doom and heavy metal in The Stygian Rose, Wilson states:
“We feel unrestrained now. We thought, if the word ‘epic’ in doom metal means anything, it’s without constraint. What’s more vast than being unconstrained?”
Drummer Enrique Sagarnaga continues:
“There’s a lot of variety on the album, and I think that’s not just because we get bored easily—which we do, actually—but rather, this is who we are. This is the most prepared our band has been, especially going into the studio. It’s about respect for each other’s time. We were more patient with one another regarding how we expressed musical ideas. We committed to practicing on a regular schedule—That was important. And as we get older, we hopefully have become better musicians. ‘The Stygian Rose’ is also the longest time we’ve had with Arthur Rizk in the studio. Every little detail you hear in the final result of the record is very deliberate.”
Crypt Sermon are 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).
Crypt Sermon live:
May 10 Seattle WA @ Northwest Terror Fest
May 22 Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest Pre-Show
June 14 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
June 15 Washington, DC @ Pie Shop
August 31 Philadelphia, PA @ Brooklyn Bowl (Decibel Magazine 20th Anniversary show)
Photo courtesy of Crypt Sermon
