Next up we’re going to look at another band from Sweden called The Crown. These guys are severely underrated and badass. Originally they were called Crown of Thorns shut were forced to change their name due to another band with the same name. They’re another band that have gone through more than one singer. Let’s take a look…
The Burning (first as Crown of Thorns)- the first album from these guys incorporated elements of black metal, death metal, and a little bit of thrash metal. In fact, the production on this isn’t really that bad. I mean it’s not the greatest but compared to say The Red in the Sky is Ours by At the Gates, it’s actually quite good. The songs aren’t as fast as later Crowns songs would be but overall a very good entry especially for a first album. 8.5/10
Standouts: Of Good and Evil, The Lord of the Rings, Candles
Eternal Death- the second album would be the last album under the Crown of a Thorns name and this one is more of a blackened death metal album. I will say that production wise it’s about the same as the first album and for some reason this one seemed really long and the songs seem slower however, I felt that as the album was down to its last few songs, they kind of sped them up. It clocks in at almost an hour but the songs on it seem to go on for awhile. To me this one is not as strong as their first but it’s still a good album. I give this one an 8/10
Standouts: Angels Die, Hunger, Misery Speaks
Hell is Here- the first album where now they go by The Crown and this one completely drops the black metal elements and goes in a more death metal and thrash metal direction. The thing with this one is that a lot of the ones are sped up compared to the previous album. This is definitely an album where the songs are fast and slow but in a good way. Production wise it has that sound of the previous 2 albums however, this would be the last one to do so. This one is actually a nice preview of things to come for later albums and this is one where you can clearly hear the band evolving. I give this an 8.5/10
Standouts- The Poison, 1999 Revolution 666, Electric Night
Deathrace King- finally here’s where things really pick up and wow what an album this is. It’s the perfect blend of punk, thrash, and death metal. This is definitely one of my personal favorite albums because it’s perfect from start to finish. Tomas Lindberg (At the Gates) guest vocals on the song Devil Gate Ride. The guitar work on this is top notch and the bass, drums and vocals are badass too. Overall, a perfect album which is why I give this a perfect 10/10
Standouts: Devil Gate Ride, Rebel Angel, Killing Star
Crowned in Terror- the follow up Deathrace King actually is the first record without original vocalist Johan Lindstrand. He has instead been replaced by Tomas Lindberg from At the Gates. This was my first album I bought from these guys and it’s a great album to be introduced by. This is one where the guitar work is absolutely badass and of Slaughter of the Soul were to have an immediate follow up this should be that record. Another perfect 10/10
Standouts: The Speed of Darkness, Death is the Hunter, Satanist
Possessed 13- after Crowned, the next record would see the return of original vocalist Johan Lindstrand. While not quite as strong as the previous record, this is still a fantastic record and definitely a worthy follow up. Again with this record, the guitar and bass work is fantastic as is the drumming. As far as the vocals, it’s as if Johan Lindstrand never left. I give this one a very solid 9.5/10
Standouts: No Tomorrow, Are You Morbid, Natashead Overdrive
Crowned Unholy- what can I say about this one? It’s a re recording of the Crowned in Terror record only with Johan Lindstrand on vocals. The production on it sounds more polished that Crowned in Terror and there are even some synthesizer elements on this one. Do I like it better than the original? No but that doesn’t mean that this is a bad record and yes one should listen to it and if you are collecting records, add it to your collection. I just prefer the original that’s all. I give this one 9/10
Standouts: Out For Blood, Satanist, I (am) Hell
So after this record came out, The Crown did the unthinkable, they broke up and that’s really too bad because they were on such a high with three awesome records back to back. In my opinion that is something to do. However according to the the 14 Years of No Tomorrow dvd it was said that they got tired of the constant touring. So sadly, they chose to end things and from 2004-2009, there wasn’t anything new fro a The Crown. However, in 2010, the band was reformed with everyone except vocalist Johan Lindstrand who had gone on to form the band One Man Army and the Undead Quartet. Instead they got God Macabre and future At the Gates guitarist Jonas Stålhammar on vocals. Thus we got…..
Doomsday King- first off I just want to say that I was never a fan of this album title. It’s too derivative of Deathrace King however, as an album it’s good. Right out the gate, we start off fast and heavy and Jonas actually does a great job filling Johan’s spot on vocals. Some songs do sound repetitive and if I was going into this record, I’d actually listen to Deathrace or Crowned In Terror first. This album has a lot of ups and downs there are some really great songs and there are some songs that are definitely filler. Overall a good album from a band that has been away for awhile. I give ethic one a 8.5/10
Standouts: Angel of Death 1839, Age of Iron, From Ashes I Shall Return
Death is Not Dead- this would see the return of original vocalist Johan Lindstrand and this would also be the last for longtime drummer Janne Saarenpää. Would I call it a comeback album because of Johan’s return? No not really. This album was released to mark the 25th anniversary of the band too. Now for the album itself, the songs on it are good but they go from fast to slow. Maybe my expectations were too high because of Johan’s return but I just feel that they could have been faster. I give this one an 8/10
Standouts: Headhunter, Iblis Bane, Horrid Ways
Cobra Speed Venom- the newest album is the first album not to feature Janne Saarenpää on drums as well as original guitarist Marcuss Sunnesson. They’ve both been replace by Robin Sorqvist and Henrik Axelsson. The songs on this one seemed to have been slightly slowed down compared to the last album however, the riffs are more crushing and brutal. The new drummer Henrik Axelsson had some big shoes to fill and he definitely does the job and new guitarist Robin Sorqvist does a great job on lead guitar. Johan is in fine form on vocals and in fact I think he does a better job on this record than the previous. This is a badass album and this makes me excited for the next Crown album. Hopefully we get one sooner rather than later. A very strong 9/10
Standouts: Destroyed by Madness, We Avenge!, The Sign of the Scythe
So far out of all the reviews I’ve done, this one probably has been my favorite to do so far. I never really gave their first 2 albums that much of a listen and hearing them evolve into what they are now is really cool. This band has never had any inconsistencies in their records. If anyone is to get into this band I’d say start with Deathrace King and Crowned in Terror. Another thing about this band that I found is that guitarist Marko Tervonen is a very underrated guitar player. A great band from Sweden which only shows that when it comes to any sort of death metal, Sweden does it best.
Album Rankings:
1. Deathrace King
2. Crowned in Terror
3. Possessed 13
4. Hell is Here
5. Cobra Speed Venom
6. The Burning
7. Crowned Unholy
8. Doomsday King
9. Death Is Not Dead
10. Eternal Death
Sinister Reviews 