Sorcerer – The Crowning Of The Fire King
Album Review by Adam McCann
Label : Metalblade Records
Year : 2017
All Hail His Majesty
It was an excellent surprise when Sorcerer finally unleashed their epic doom debut with ‘In the Shadow of the Inverted Cross’ in 2015 to high accolades with the album becoming critically acclaimed and hitting many people’s favourite albums of that year. Therefore, the anticipation was high when Sorcerer announced that a new album would be released in 2017 and in what could become a trend for Sorcerer, ‘The Crowning of the Fire King’ did not disappoint.
‘The Crowning…’ delivered all the hallmarks that had you hooked on the debut album without recycling ideas. Touted as epic doom metal, Sorcerer do what they say on the tin, unlike a lot of doom where the vocalist does enough to get by with the focus on the grinding riffs, Sorcerer’s Anders Engberg sounds powerful and when he opens his mouth, it is as if Ronnie James Dio and Biff Byford have produced offspring within his throat.
When this voice is coupled with some excellent riffs and artisan song craftsmanship, ‘The Crowning…’ creates a doom symphony that is enjoyable for an hour. The title track sounds like a lost Saxon song from the ‘Killing Ground’ era whilst the beginning of ‘Unbearable Sorrow’ could easily slide into a Dream Theater song. However, it is ‘Sirens’, ‘Ship of Doom’ and ‘Crimson Cross’ where ‘The Crowning…’ earns its salt and it doesn’t stop there, the album demands replays, it takes the template laid down on ‘In the Shadow…’ and expands on it in a way a band should deal with their sophomore album.
‘The Crowning…’ has a better production and the cohesion of a band who know each other very well, the tell-tale traces of chemistry drip from the album and once more, Sorcerer have sneakily delivered one of the best albums of 2017. The worst thing about it? Having to wait potentially another two years before another album.
Rating : 88/100
MHF Magazine/Adam McCann
