Promo 2012

Stone Magnum were some busy bees back in 2012. The Indiana doom group released their self-titled debut that January with founding guitarist Dean Tavernier serving as the reluctant lead vocalist until singer Nick Hernandez was recruited shortly thereafter along with bassist Ben Elliot. While both members’ talents would be properly utilized on From Time… to Eternity the following year, it made sense for the band to redo three tracks from the debut as an introduction to the new lineup in the meantime.

Considering how the three songs on Promo 2012 are essentially the same recordings with different bass and vocals, it will likely be a matter of personal preference as to which version works better. Tavernier and Hernandez are very different vocalists with their own strengths and weaknesses, the former having a fun Reagers-esque bellow and the latter serving up a Candlemass-friendly baritone. With that in mind, I lean more on the original version of “Locksmith of Misery” thanks to its gravelly wails while “Grave of Cryptic Sorrows” utilizes the vibratos nicely on the newer version and “Pictures of Your Life” feels better put together with its tighter delivery.

Overall, Stone Magnum’s Promo 2012 is a fun but inessential listen for traditional doom fans. Perhaps Hernandez may be a more accessible singer for anybody that found the original vocals off-putting, and this might be a fun sampler for anybody curious about the band nowadays. But really, anybody wanting to check out Stone Magnum should just listen to From Time… to Eternity instead. That shit’s overlooked as far as I’m concerned.