Swarm Chain – Cernunnos

Swarm Chain is an epic doom/death metal band hailing from Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Following their 2022 debut, Looming Darkness, the quintet—comprised of Daniele Valseriati (drums), Daniele Mandelli (guitars), Riccardo Tonoli (guitars), Emanuele Cirilli (vocals/growls), and Paolo Veluti (vocals and bass)—released their sophomore full-length album, Cernunnos. The title itself draws from the conventional modern name given to the ancient Celtic horned god of nature, wildlife, fertility, and the underworld. Structurally, Cernunnos consists of five highly immersive, extended compositions that average over seven to eight minutes each.

Recorded at Elfo Studio, mixed and produced by guitarist Daniele Mandelli, and mastered by James Plotkin, the record features a heavy, atmospheric epic doom/death production style. This cavernous sonic blueprint perfectly complements the seven-minute-plus title track, the band’s signature heavy guitar tones, and their contrasting vocal attack. Cernunnos successfully builds a narrative dialogue between the primal mind, the natural world, and the unknown beast, making for an engaging conceptual listen. Musically, the album is slow, crushing, and dramatic, utilizing heavy riffs and sorrowful melodies to forge a dark, epic atmosphere.

One of the first standout elements is the dynamic interplay between the harsh, guttural growls of Emanuele Cirilli and the clean, soaring vocals of Paolo Veluti. Behind them, drummer Daniele Valseriati maintains a steady, pounding rhythm. Instead of relying on fast tempos, Valseriati uses heavy cymbal crashes and slow, stomping bass drums to drive the album’s heavy, mid-tempo march. Finally, Veluti’s bass work adds a deep, rumbling weight to the rhythm section, locking in perfectly with the guitars to ensure the low end hits with maximum impact.

While it may seem like an obvious choice, the absolute standout track on the record is the lead single, title track, and album opener, “Cernunnos”. It instantly sets the narrative tone for the entire release, capturing a primal, tense confrontation with the mythic deity that perfectly reflects the album’s overarching conceptual journey.

The striking cover art for Cernunnos was created by the renowned Romanian artist and animator Costin Chioreanu. The illustration depicts a raw confrontation between man and the horned deity, visually mirroring the album’s exploration of the god as a reflection of human instinct and nature.

Cernunnos comes highly recommended for die-hard fans of doom and death metal, as well as listeners who appreciate the heavy, trudging traditions of classic epic doom (such as Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Memento Mori, Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Sorcerer) blended with gothic undertones. You can stream and purchase the album directly via the official Swarm Chain Bandcamp page.