PATRIARCHS IN BLACK is a doom/heavy metal band formed by Dan Lorenzo (CASISUS KING, DAN LORENZO SOLO BAND, HADES, VESSEL OF LIGHT, NON-FICTION, THE CURSED) and Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE, DANZIG, EX-A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH, among many others). As with their previous two full-length albums, the duo enlisted the help of several guest musicians to provide vocals and help on bass. Dan himself plays guitars on every song and much of the bass while Johnny, of course, provides the foundation with drums.

Mark Sunshine,(RIOTGOD, UNIDA) Karl Agell (ex-COC), Hob Traynor, Kelly Abe, Frankie Diaz, Kyle Thomas (EXHORDER, AORTHA, ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY), Jason McMaster (WATCH TOWER, CASSIUS KING, EVIL UNITED) all provide vocals throughout the album. Iron Lou, Dave Neabore (DOG EAT DOG), Johnny Araya, Sal Juvara, Eric J. Morgan (A PALE HORSE NAMED DEATH, FIRST ORDER) and Eazy Ezekiel provide bass. Jason Donnelly (DJ PUZZLE DJ) provides turntables on “A Few Good Men.”

Their sound is best described as a hybrid of doom and more traditional forms of metal but it’s dynamic enough to include twists to the formula while keeping their core sound intact. I will say the use of viola, performed by JONATHAN ENG on “Entry,” and “Birth” are two of those said twists and a very welcomed respite among the heavier hitting songs. “Birth” also includes keys and acoustic guitar…it’s a short but very well written instrumental piece. I hope in future releases, Dan and Johnny can incorporate these elements even further, perhaps into full length songs that take advantage of everything the two have to offer.

Hell, there is even blues mixed in with all this, as showcased wonderfully in “Whiskey On My Mind.” That main riff is fan-fucking-tastic, totally nails the link between blues and old school bands like SABBATH and PENTAGRAM. Vocalist Frankie and bassist Sal complete the package, each of them offering a huge emotive impact. “Welcome To Hell Again,” and “A Few Good Men,” are two more killer songs, incorporating non-traditional elements into the band’s doomy sound. Both songs are absolute bangers and feature rapping and a hip-hop energy that is hard to ignore. The songs still have massive, thick riffs and strong rhythm sections; the combining of the styles lend the songs a crossover/hardcore feel as well.

It’s a credit to the songwriting that all the songs come together so well and the flow is never interrupted. The album’s runtime is 43 minutes across 12 songs, which isn’t overly long, but the flow of the album makes it go by very fast…perfect for multiple listening sessions. The album’s first full song is “What Do They Know? (For the Champions) and it’s a good indicator of what the rest of the album holds. Dan is a riff master and his healthy doses of southern groove into his playing goes a long way in keeping the songs balanced between groove, a bit of a stoner metal vibe, and more traditional metal/doom elements.

Mark’s vocals are also balanced; his clean vocals have just enough of a high pitched, theatrical feel to them without overboard—a very classic approach that fires on all cylinders. I’ll say one thing about having all these guest vocalists ... .it works for the songs. It makes each one sound distinct but still fits into the album’s overall atmosphere. I’ve always enjoyed Karl Agell’s vocals and he’s in fine form on “Before I Go.” This song is a bit more melancholic than the previous one, full of hazy and smoky vibes that pair well with Karl’s voice. Johnny’s drums, as it does throughout the album, are just flashy enough to highlight the music but he’s more than capable enough to help Dave provide a strong backbone for the song.

My favorite song on the album is probably “Empty Cup” because it’s pure straight up doom metal—-Dan throws out riffs for days here. It’s low, slow, and a perfect example of how to bring the sound into the modern age. Kyle Thomas’ vocals are gritty, expressive with a full energetic performance. Johnny’s bass goes hand and hand with Johnny Kelly's’s drums more so than any other guest, at least for me. The final, and title, track is another personal favorite. Dan shows off his bass chops very well here and his use of rhythm guitar to pepper the beginning with heavy distortion helps build up the momentum. Mark’s vocals glide along with ease, leading to the to the mid portion of some of the best riffs on the album.

Dan hasn’t been part of a bad album—-he and Johnny are proving themselves to be quite the duo, just as good as he is with Nathan Opposition (check out their band VESSEL OF LIGHT immediately). As their legacy continues to grow so does their offerings of great music that hits all the right notes. Any fan of metal needs this album in their collection.