Doom Metal is a genre traditionally focused on sounds of the past, but The Necromancers have leapt onto the scene to declare for its future. . . (or as Necromancers. . . are they resurrecting something undead for the future?) Their first release, “Servants of the Salem Girl” is not only among the best debuts of 2017, it’s among the best records of the year. Period.

There’s nothing on this album to rewrite the rules of the game, but that’s completely fine when you play it this well. By the 10 second mark of the first song, “Salem Girl Part I,” you recognize that you’re in for something good. By the time you hit 1 minute, you start to get the nervous anticipation of something special. At just before 4 minutes, you abandon all worry and bask in the glory of great music.
All waters flow from Black Sabbath, especially in Stoner and Doom circles, but in addition to Sabbath, The Sword, Candlemass, and the rest of the usual influences, this record shows some classic NWOBM reflections. It even clocks in at a mere 41 minutes, like albums used to do. Diamond Head, early Iron Maiden, Motorhead, and Killing Joke are the first that come to mind - - especially when vocalist/guitarist Tom Cornière switches from clean to gravel, evoking Paul Di’Anno, Lemmy, and Jaz Coleman. It’s not just the Di’Anno that sometimes flashes the sounds of early Maiden, though; the riffs, scales, and energetically brash NWOBM rhythms sometimes put you right there in the middle of those first two Iron Maiden albums, just with less bass gallop, and a little more reliance on fuzz and guitar neck pickups.
Of the 6 tracks that space out “Servants of the Salem Girl’s” short running time, there are no weak moments, only strong points. The bookended “Salem Girl” songs are both full of sublime little moments, while “Lucifer’s Kin” and “Black Marble House” also deliver. “Grand Orbiter” gets off to an uncertain start, but finds itself in a big way, halfway through.
If they can accomplish something this triumphant on their first release, then The Necromancers are certainly a band to watch. Look for them to lead Metal into the next decade and beyond.