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On the one hand, Earthen Grave’s self-titled debut album is full of fairly recognizable Doom Metal characteristics such as fuzzy guitars, a thick and heavy bottom end and slow tempos. On the other hand, the band incorporates a violinist (Rachel Barton Pine), which gives the album an Eastern European, almost gypsy, sound. Add to that singer Mark Weiner, who sounds a lot like Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, and you’ve got a recipe for something unique. Sadly, the songs on Earthen Grave are rather generic and like a lot of "Doom" these days the guitar riffing is on the Stoner side. Everyone, with the exception of Weiner, who struggles with the high notes, plays with skill but not a lot of enthusiasm. There are parts of the album that are quite powerful but these energetic bursts are short-lived.

There are some good spots on Earthen Grave but the shortcomings outnumber them far too much to make this album more than a dull disappointment.