Review PATRIARCHS IN BLACK “Home”

Patriarchs in Black is the brainchild of former Type O Negative and Danzig drummer Johnny Kelly and guitarist Dan Lorenzo (Hades/Non-Fiction). The duo launched their debut album, “Reach for the Scars”, in 2022, followed by two more studio albums. With “Home”, the duo present their latest work, another stunning musical adventure.

The first thing that catches the eye is the tracklist, as “Home” features 15 songs. The slower-paced “Hymns for the Heretic” marks the beginning of this 58-minute doom metal journey. The opener is a pounding metal track that leads into the acoustic intro of ‘The Call’. Even at this early stage, it becomes evident that “Home” is much more than just a collection of doom riffs.

Patriarchs in Black take a wider approach to their musical delivery. While rooted in doom metal, the duo have also incorporated other influences, and a general feeling of melancholy strings all the songs together. This approach is evident in songs such as “Burn Through Time”. The tune is reminiscent of bands like Soundgarden, and this is also due to the vocal performance of Mark Sunshine, who enriches the closer, “Sweet Blood” with his voice.

“Frisson” sees another shift in style as strings appear. Although it is more of an interlude, it demonstrates the versatility of Patriarchs In Black. The counterpart to “Frisson” is the roaring riff power of “Kaos”. The song is a massive metal track and one of the heaviest on the album. Lorenzo’s guitar playing is especially pivotal, while Kelly Abe’s vocals echo a wistful vibe.

The first half of the album provides a clear picture of what “Home” is all about, while “Celestial Yard”, with its Led Zeppelin vibe, offers a refreshing change of direction. These moments, which deviate from the main doom metal theme, are what make the album so special. Another song that fits into this context is “Where You Think You’re Going”. The song’s twist comes from the combination of rap-influenced vocals, flute, violin and Trotta bass, which is further amplified by Sarah Sovak’s vocals.

And in case you think you’ve experienced it all, think again. Patriarchs in Black embrace blues rock with “Enough of You” before the doomy riff power takes back the lead in the last three songs of “Home”.
With “Home”, Patriarchs In Black deliver a multifaceted album with many nuances. While rooted in doom metal, the band has added many additional elements to their latest musical effort, making “Home” a melancholic yet exciting album that goes beyond trends and musical fast food. These songs reflect the essence of music and come straight from the heart.