BYZANTHIAN NECKBEARD are a three-piece Stoner Doom Metal band from Guernsey. Now, if you're like me and have no idea where Guernsey is, allow me to shine some light. Guernsey is a tiny island, approximately 25 square miles, off the coast of France in the English Channel. I had to look it up and upon seeing pictures, it's a beautiful little slice of land. Perfect for Doom Metal.

BYZANTHIAN NECKBEARD have been active since 2014 with their debut full-length record "From The Clutches Of Oblivion". Since that initial release, they've been relatively quiet when it comes to new tunes until now. "Extinction" is the first of two releases scheduled for 2019 with a full-length album scheduled for release in November titled "Minaton". "Extinction" is a three-track EP that was released on September 27th.

The band has been dubbed Stoner Doom Metal, but I'm making a call that this record is Death Doom Metal. It's an unmistakable style of music in the same vane as PARADISE LOST or WINTER. The album starts with the track "Coffin Bomb" which eases you into their style with a slow building riff that fully comes to life about a minute into the song when Phil Skyrme's growling vocals make their appearance. The riffs continue to pound with a growing drum beat behind them as the song builds to a barreling end.

The last track on the record, title-track "Extinction", is the longest song on the record coming in at just a few seconds over seven minutes. The track opens with a smooth bass groove that breaks up the record nicely before the guitars drift in typical doom fashion. The song builds to a marching guitar riff that's easily the most memorable portion of the album.

The album as a whole does the job of making me excited for the upcoming full-length release in November. While coming from a (with the risk of sounding like an ignorant American) vastly unknown region to the rest of the world, the band packs a powerful punch that is a unique offering to a genre that is plentiful in recent years. These guys stick out and I foresee great things on the horizon for them - which is why I'm giving this record the highest score I ever have before. Go buy it and support these guys!