Metal Underground.com

Those seeking sludgy Southern stoner metal in the Black Label Society mold will find lots to love on Crowned By Fire's "Space Music For Cave People." Despite moments when the vocals don't match what's going on instrumentally, it's a generally enjoyable EP of mid-tempo metal.

Guitarist Justin Manning served as Zakk Wylde's guitar tech, and its obvious that he picked up a few tricks from the ex-Ozzy ax-slinger. The solo and fills on "Light Of The Voodoo Star" feel like vintage Black Label Society.

That's not to say that the band is a Black Label Society clone, despite having recorded the EP at Wylde's Black Vatican studio. The disc's best track, "Crowned By Fire," takes a nice dirty blues groove in all kinds of interesting places, with some excellent work by bassist Chris Breedlove and drummer Rocco Paolone. "Something In Her Blood" also stands out, feeling like a near perfect fusion of Black Sabbath and Lynnrd Skynnrd.

That said, John Fitterer's mostly shouted vocals can take some getting used to. Stuff like the title track works well with that approach. Much less impressive is the cover of Blue Oyster Cult's "Burnin' For You," in which Fitterer seems totally out of place, given the otherwise faithful take on the original song.

"Space Music For Cave People" will appeal to Southern and stoner metal fans, despite some awkward vocals here and there. The grooves are great and the solos even better.