Phantom Druid - Stages of Twilight

 

 

Phantom Druid - Stages of Twilight
Off The Record Label - February 2021
Doom, sludge
Rated: ****

Tjeerd de Jong is a one-man Dutch doom machine, spitting out classic, grimy doom as Phantom Druid. "Stages of Twilight" is his second full-length to date, and the doom is as potent as ever. The distinctive buzzsaw guitar tone immediately cuts through in opener "Far Beyond Oblivion", chugging along relentlessly with evil intent. De Jong's Ozzy-inspired vocals seal the deal, and the atmosphere is pure danger and gloom. Buried in the gravelly guitar and low end is also an unnameable weird factor in the vein of Cathedral, elevating the album to even creepier heights. Sounding fuller and somehow even heavier than previous releases, "Stages of Twilight" is a hulking step forward in weight and range. Case in point, the stomp of "Far Beyond Oblivion" is followed by the murky, slow as molasses "The Ultimate Grim". Complete with gothic strings and keening riffs, the track is simply epic. This diversity in de Jong's take on traditional doom is a running theme throughout the album, from the smooth and bluesy interlude "Shadow Tree Cross Roads" to the furious, whiplash-inducing second half of "Third Eye Sacrifice". Finale "Black Clouds, Silver Wings" brings it to a close with a bang, delivering a decidedly up-tempo, rocking number paying tribute to the Prince of Darkness's flashier days. De Jong has yet again raised the bar for what one man can do with doom, forging a woefully heavy sound rooted in the classics while carving it's own dark path.

(Written by Shastabeast)

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