Review Summary: Exxûl’s debut album offers promising if incredibly niche epic doom.
Spawned from the same cinematic universe that presented us with Zeicrydeus’s grand debut last year among other entities, the first full-length album from Exxûl offers another cool genre blend. Following the swelling horror synth and distorted voice that sets up “Bells Of The Exxûl,” the meat of Sealed Into None is epic metal beset by elements of doom, power, and black metal that give it a theatrical yet unhinged air. Its arcane aura suggests a mix of Candlemass, Cirith Ungol, and Brocas Helm that plays like a weirder answer to groups like Crypt Sermon, Stygian Crown, and Professor Emeritus.
True to the premise, the musicianship is consistently over the top with an off-kilter demeanor. This is especially demonstrated by the vocals, no doubt art to be an acquired taste due to the relentless falsettos ala Crimson Glory’s Midnight though certainly capable of slipping into lower croons and gritty shouts. That grittiness is especially conveyed by the rhythm section sharing a couple tricks with their sister projects, the bass weaving around the guitars with its own slinky appeal while the drums pound with slow heavy echoes suited to the cavernous atmosphere.
And with the album’s four proper tracks made up of elaborate structures set to lengthy runtimes that push past an eight-minute minimum, the songwriting can be a lot to take in. “Blighted Deity” introduces the varying elements in somewhat claustrophobic fashion as its dramatic crawl is beset with wailing, sweeping choruses, and an aggressive bridge. I find things end up feeling more settled with the last couple tracks; “Labyrinthine Fate” puts in a more direct structure and an ominous chorus that really hits those Crypt Sermon vibes. The closing “The Screaming Tower” is also commendable, making its fourteen-minute length work surprisingly well thanks to some deeper vocals coming through, some cool bass work, and methodical pacing that allows a bit more breathing room.
Overall, Exxûl offers some especially niche epic doom with Sealed Into None. As much as I find myself wishing that some of vocal lines would rein themselves a bit more or the songwriting was a little less dense, the band seems to know exactly what they’re going for. It’s undeniably an acquired taste but one whose unorthodoxy helps it stand out without coming off like it’s trying too hard to do so. It doesn’t quite the metal nerd sweet spot as junk as Zeicrydeus, but I can tell this could really be something once it grows on me.
