Cirith Ungol

Cirith Ungol sounds like the sonic equivalent of a 1970s fantasy novel found in a dusty used bookstore. It is heavy metal that hasn't quite forgotten its psychedelic and hard rock roots, resulting in a sound that is simultaneously muscular and strangely ethereal. The guitars carry a thick, doom-influenced weight, while the rhythms possess a swinging, organic quality that feels more human than the machine-gun precision of modern metal.

The defining characteristic is undoubtedly Tim Baker's vocal performance. Eschewing the operatic polish of their contemporaries, Baker delivers a high-pitched, sandpaper-dry rasp that sounds like a sorcerer screaming from the top of a tower. This eccentric choice, combined with their unwavering commitment to sword-and-sorcery themes, creates a niche that is entirely their own: 'Epic Metal' with a gritty, underground edge.

Start with 'King of the Dead' to experience the band at their most atmospheric and influential. It captures the transition from their hard rock beginnings into the darker, doom-inflected power metal that would define their legacy. For something slightly more accessible but no less heavy, 'Frost and Fire' offers a glimpse into their earlier, more rock-oriented energy.