Given all the sunn o)))-derived drone that’s proliferated in recent years, it’s both retro and refreshing to hear a band so unabashedly rooted in doom metal’s hallowed past. Serpent Throne, with a name honoring their demonic inspirations and all manner of stoner-prog-doom power moves at their beck and call, are one of those fantastically old-fashioned and workman-like groups. Their commanding sound, exemplified on Ride Satan Ride (a title that speaks for itself if there ever was one), is so immediate that the lack of vocals is a strength; they would only detract from the heaviness. Rejoice this holiday season, for Serpent Throne has enough smoke-wreathed seventies riffs and Satanic glory for all. Eye and Randall of Nazareth are the bookends to this mighty evening. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Ave., 9:15 PM, $10, 21+ – Alyssa Greenberg
