The Crown is a metal institution. These Swedes have been pumping out furious death-infused thrash for over 25 years, with no real missteps. Indeed, we at AMG Industries have been tongue-bathing them since, Doomsday King, their 2010 comeback following a six-year hiatus, on which a younger, looser Steel Druhm splurged a (rather generous) 4.5. The slightly more divisive Death Is Not Dead (2015) saw original vocalist Johan Lindstrand return and garnered a gushing 4.0, as did 2018’s Cobra Speed Venom (although I can’t blame Steel for either of those). Indeed, it wasn’t until 2021’s Royal Destroyer that a dose of that famed AMG restraint was introduced, with a ‘mere’ 3.0 awarded. This rash of high scores—from three different reviewers—goes some way to showing both the consistency of The Crown’s output and the regard in which they are held. Back with their 12th full-length, Crown of Thorns, I’m the fourth reviewer here to tackle output from The Crown. I do hope that doesn’t bode ill for that poor, savaged score safety counter.
If anyone was afraid that, a quarter of a century into their career, The Crown would suddenly have a ‘moment’ (like The Haunted did on Unseen, for example), you can relax. Well, not relax exactly, but stop worrying. Crown of Thorns rips into furious, pummelling life right out the gates on “I Hunt with the Devil.” A lot of Crown of Thorns hearkens back to Cobra Speed Venom or even Doomsday King, leaning into At the Gates (“God-King”) and even Dark Tranquility (“Martyrian”). The Amon Amarth vibes, which were strong on Royal Destroyer, are dialed back, as are the longer songs, with only two clearing the five-minute mark (one of those a bonus track).
Indeed, much of Crown of Thorns has a frantic energy to it. The raging “The Agitator” rips through its sub-two-minute run with such urgency that The Crown risks getting a speed metal tag. And, where those Amon Amarth influences remain, they are very well executed (“Churchburner”), with Lindstrand’s trademark snarling bark ensuring The Crown still sounds like … well, The Crown. Where things get a bit weird, is when the tempo comes down. Dynamics are no bad thing, of course, they give the breakneck sections more impact. However, it’s almost like the band felt that dropping the pace left some unused space they needed to find a way to fill. Their solution? Add a load of effects, echoes, and reverb onto the vocals, sometimes introducing a half-whispered delivery (“Gone to Hell” and parts of “The Night Is Now”).
In many ways, The Crown delivers exactly what you expect and want on Crown of Thorns. Churning, expertly crafted, thrashy melodeath riffs. Delivered by Marcus Sunesson and Marco Tervonen, the guitarists traffic in that unmistakably Swedish style, with a sharp, almost blackened edge to the guitar tone to give just a little extra bite. However, it’s a shame that two of the strongest songs (“Eternally Infernal” and “No Fuel for God”) were relegated to bonus tracks. By contrast, a few of the writing choices made on the album proper were slightly more questionable. The opening, bass-led groove of “Gone to Hell” could easily have come off a Warrior Soul record and, even when it kicks up a bit, it lacks bite. The same charge could be laid at the door of “The Night Is Now” and “Where Nightmares Belong.” The production is also rougher than I’d like. There is something slightly off with the top end of the guitars, which occasionally have a waspish buzz (most notable on “Howling at the Warfield”),1 while the drums often seem to get swallowed.
If you’re a fan of The Crown, there’s enough here to enjoy and remind you of what you love about them. Yet, in their heavier sound, the melodicism has been sacrificed for all-out speed, while in the slower material, they’ve resorted to unnecessary bells and whistles that give Crown of Thorns a slightly artificial feel. At its best (“I Hunt with the Devil” and “Churchburner”), Crown of Thorns is straight-up fun. But highlights aside, Crown of Thorns just feels a touch tired and The Crown feels like a band searching around for new inspiration. If you’re new to The Crown, this isn’t the place to start.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s CBR MP3
Label: Metal Blade Records
Websites: thecrownofficial.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/thecrownofficial
Releases Worldwide: October 11th, 2024
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