Dusty Lord (Stygian Crypt Productions)

 This band was formed in Ekaterinburg (Russia) in 2004, and includes a couple of former member of the well know Russian band Autumn... the style delivered by the band at “Dusty Lord”, their first full length and only release at the time, could be labelled somewhere between Gothic Metal and Death Metal (quite more inclined towards the Gothic sound by the way). Several Death Metal traces can be found during this album, but constantly interrupted by melodious gothic inspired elements in shape of atmospheric keyboards or acoustic, relaxed passages. The most severe element is definitely the cruel vocalizations of Alexander “Slepoi” Zernov, his cavernous growls belongs, undoubtedly, to the most extreme side of Metal. Even when the Gothic Metal seems to be their leading style, some Death Metal structures are, at least to me, the highlights of this album, with solid mid paced structures, powerful, brutal riffs accompanied by the already mentioned deathly vocal work. Some Doom/Death Metal “hybrid” moments are also quite remarkable, reminding me at some passages a sort of blend between Asphyx and My Dying Bride, there’re also some quite progressive and rather symphonic parts, just listen to the sixth track “Ya Mog Byt Drugim”, a complex piece that conjugates melody, heaviness and slight folk hints in a pretty interesting way. “Dusty Lord” is a melodic and somewhat relaxed work, only the most extreme moments of this album delivers some tension here. Although this isn’t a bad release at all, the constant interludes and style changes make of this work a pretty irregular one, being kinda hard to follow it. Anyway, this album has several highlights, enough to make it a pretty good album. “Dusty Lord” is completely recommendable for the Gothic Metal audience, but if you’re looking for extreme brutality, thickness or obscurity, you better pass this one up. (AP)