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CRYPT SERMON
Saturnian Appendices EP

Dark Descent (2025)
Rating: 7.5/10

Very much an extension from last year’s impressive The Stygian Rose opus, this latest four song EP from Crypt Sermon, with the exception of the cover rendition of Mayhem’s ‘De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas’, could easily have been included as bonus tracks from the album. I’m assuming these tracks were leftovers from The Stygian Rose because they have that feel to them.

This is more gratifying doom metal from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based combo who have been plying their trade since 2013. And I’m glad they’ve returned so soon because the four to five year gaps between the first three albums certainly take their toll on those fans that may be a little impatient.

Saturnian Appendices begins with ‘Only Ash And Dust’, a song that runs just shy of eight minutes and is a majestic and fluid slab of doom. Crypt Sermon is becoming masters of grandeur, epically charged through colossal riffs and commanding vocals. Each instrument makes itself known yet without dominating the assembly, with everything operating in Gothic tandem as well oiled cogs.

As each track unfolds one is transported back to the early 90s as shadows of Candlemass, My Dying Bride and Solitude Aeturnus come to the fore. The riffs are brooding yet sublime and punctured by leads which fizz across the layers of tumbling drums from Enrique Sagamaga.

Throughout the EP Brooks Wilson maintains a quite gritty approach with his vocal tone. ‘A Fool To Believe lumbers effortlessly with a rolling steady tide of shifting riffs and hooky melody, bathing in a traditional metal light before a series of infectious chugs introduces us to the next brooding phase. The lyrics bring a feeling of dread as Wilson booms: “They always follow no matter where I go, down in the hollow…”. There’s an effective simplicity, a series of stark resonations that demand your attention.

The EP rounds off with an intriguing version of Mayhem’s black metal classic, ‘De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas’ which works very well when given the doom metal treatment. There’s a nice web of soloing too to bring extra vim through the heavy fog.

Saturnian Appendices will certainly appease the fans until the next album, so be sure to make room for some more doom.

Neil Arnold

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