Artist: The Crown
Label: Metal Blade Records
Release Date: 4/9/02
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Title: Crowned in Terror Artist: The Crown Label: Metal Blade Records Release Date: 4/9/02 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
The promotional material that was sent with this album goes to great lengths to express that The Crown is a diverse band that takes its influence from the entire metal spectrum and melds it into one unique sound. I'm not sure what they're listening to, but I don't agree, as I think this is the same breed of death/thrash that this band has been putting out on their last two albums (Thank God). And like their last effort, this one smokes.
"Crowned in Terror is an album for the fans, as it is everything you're looking for in an album that swoops in, attacks, and beats a hasty retreat." The songwriting remains top notch, even if the lyrics are often pretty hokey, and the whole album seems to speed right by you, but in a good way. Normally if I hear an album all the way through, when it ends I reach for something else, but this one I just lean over and press play again. Crowned in Terror is an album for the fans, as it is everything you're looking for in an album that swoops in, attacks, and beats a hasty retreat. I swear I feel like checking my speakers every time the album ends to make sure they weren't literally shredded, because they certainly were metaphorically.
I've often lamented about the fact that my favorite records from this band were The Burning and Eternal Death, and that remains true, as those were two of the most underrated death metal releases of all time. But this album has given me some closure. It's one thing when a band gives up on a favorite sound and goes on to mediocrity (which I was a little afraid of after the release of Hell is Here-- a good, but also flawed, album), but it's quite the happy surprise when they remain a viable act. And while I still like their brutal, older sound better, this album (combined with the last one) solidifies these guys in their new direction, and I'm just as excited for them as I ever was.
"The Crown have returned so bow your heads and raise your fists! It's metal time." I did knock off a skull for some of the cheesiness of the lyrics because, let's face it, the thought of a "Death Metal Holocaust" just seems silly. But hell (is here), I don't really care about the lyrics anyway. I do think I like the previous album, Deathrace King a little better, but that's just splitting hairs. The Crown have returned so bow your heads and raise your fists! It's metal time. One word review: Awesome.
Death's Review:
I'm not really feeling this new Crown record as much as I'd hoped to, although I love the homage to Venom on the back of the CD booklet. When that is my favorite part of an album, I know I'm in trouble. I respect the Crown and generally appreciate their breed of modern thrashiness, for sure, but this album just goes by to quickly without truly ever making a dramatic impact. This isn't the fastest or most brutal thing out there, nor is it the most unlistenable. It is fairly unrelenting and totally metal (just listen to the words of "Death Metal Holocaust") - and this is its strongest suit as well as its weakest flaw. This is a flaw because there is nothing else to it, just straightforward death metal, without any severe brutality and at the same time without any songs I really care about. There is just no real dynamic variation in any of the songs, no real groove (notwithstanding the steady midtempo of "World Below," one of the better tracks). The musicianship is excellent, the production is cool and many of the individual riffs kick ass. But when all of it is assembled together, the songs just don't really go anywhere for me. It is all fist-pumping mania brutal death thrash all the way through. The title track (track 2) has some nice musical variations, but the vocals are definitely bland enough to blur the distinction.
"When all of it is assembled together, the songs just don't really go anywhere for me."
Vocal chores on Crowned in Terror are handled by Thomas Lindberg, formerly of the legendary At the Gates. Frankly, he kinda sucks here. Maybe it is the way he voice fits with the music or something, but he doesn't sound like he has the same passion and urgency on this album as I heard on classics like Blinded by Fear. Although, to be fair, the last Lock Up record (also featuring Lindberg on vocals) was not anywhere near up to that level either. So who knows? What I do know is that The Crown is a talented bunch of metalheads who thrash with the best of their Scandinavian blackend-death brethren. Some of the guitar work is cool, as is some of the drumming. You might find yourself more patient with this type of sound, but while Crowned in Terror is OK, it is not an album I expect to be returning to often.
"While Crowned in Terror is OK, it is not an album I expect to be returning to often."
Hel's Review:
Favorite track: "Death Metal Holocaust"
Ah, The Crown… Fuck all these stupid-ass sub-genre labels, this band is just fucking metal. I get so sick of continually having to justify and quantify how much I like music. I remember the good old days when I would get excited about, well, everything. As Abyss was pointing out recently, that metal-lovingness showed in my early reviews. And I remember when I started doing this, I loved everything - nearly every release was good. That remains true today, however, out of sheer necessity I found that I had to become harsher, or else I would lose all credibility with myself. So, true to my nature, I eventually became jaded about this aspect of my life as well. And Abyss considers pointing this out to be a compliment…
"The Crown is great no matter what you decide to name the sound of their music." The Crown is great no matter what you decide to name the sound of their music. Crowned in Terror is a barrage of brutal metal. Lie down in front of it, and let it run you over, for there is no possible escape. I believe this is the point at the core of "Death Metal Holocaust." While the lyrics on this record may not always make perfect sense, give them a break, it is not their native tongue, and anyway, if you think the lyrics really matter, you may be losing sight of the fundamental point of death metal vocals. Remember, youire not supposed to be able to understand them.
Put this in your player, and that need you have to release your aggression will find satisfaction. The pace is manic, and the musicianship is grand. You will bang your head until you neck screams for mercy, and you will eventually break something if you're not careful. The jaded part of me is convinced that Crowned in Terror should only receive 4 skulls, but the metal-loving, fed-up part of me says, "screw that."
"You will bang your head until you neck screams for mercy, and you will eventually break something if you're not careful."
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