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Crown – Possessed 13

The Crown formed in 1990 under the name ‘Crown Of Thorns’ in the sterile industrial city of Trollhattan, Sweden. After hooking up a deal with indie Black Sun Records, they recorded their full-length debut ‘The Burning’ in 1995. The debut release generated enough press coverage for the band to score a spot on the Slayer tribute album ‘Slaytanic Slaughter’ in 1997 – subsequently drawing enough attention to the band for a Christian rock band of the same name to force ‘Crown Of Thorns’ to shorten its name to simply the ‘Crown.’ 

After extensive touring the band recorded ‘Eternal Death’ in 1997, which landed them a new deal with the widely known Metal Blade Records. Since then, the band has released five full-length albums for the label, the latest being 2004’s ‘Possessed 13.’ The Crown have slowly crawled up the ranks of Sweden’s crowded death metal scene to be recognized – not as innovators – but rather as committed, relentless, lightening-fast, face-shredding death metallers.

So now the ever-expanding fivesome return to the studio with original singer Johan Lindstrand (after an album-long stint with ex-At The Gates singer Tomas Lindberg) to give the fans exactly what they want – unabated hardcore death metal.

Instantly one can identify the record’s new production courtesy of Studio Fredman – a nice thick, mud/sludge wall of sound, perfect for Crown’s death/thrash drunkenness and slightly reminiscent of Entombed’s 2003 release ‘Inferno.’ Stylistically, the band hasn’t deviated from what it has solidly delivered over the past 13 years – the musicianship and hectic song arrangements are still marked as a primary feature of the band next to speed and brutality.

Crown is a band that likes to constantly remind us of its rather apparent musical influences. ‘Are You Morbid?’ is an obvious shout out to Celtic Frost (in title only) in which the band discards it’s sludge-riffs in favour for a speed death/roll romp al la Entombed. In ‘Bow To None’ and ‘Morningstar Rising’, the band channels out strong, mid-tempo tirades of power, mixed with double-time thrash. ‘Morningstar Rising’ builds up to a brilliant crescendo, finishing on a grinding note of power.

In ‘Kill ‘Em All’ (as the title so obviously screams) the boys take a note from early-era Metallica in a great five minute thrash-piece (‘the death machine’s gonna kill em all). Crown go so far as to actually rip off the legendary double-bass fill of Slayer’s ‘Angel Of Death’ in the closing minute of the track – but it is this ironic self-awareness and half-serious sideswipes that make Crown Of Thorns the great band it is. In ‘Zombiefied!’ the band humorously play with B-grade horror film clichés almost to the point of idiocy – also translating in the cover art.

With ‘Face Of Destruction – Deep Hit Of Death’ the band plays with the various clichés of the genre, poking fun at the likes of the Babylon Whores & Children Of Bodom. But predominately on the record (in ‘No Tomorrow’, ‘Deliverance’ and ‘Natashead Overdrive’) the band slug out a filthy discharge of sludge, mixed with clever dual-harmony lead licks, and pounding double bass thrown up against Johan’s impressive vocals and the bands own self-motivated pledge to push their music as far as they possibly can.

In ‘Possessed 13’ the Crown has released a powerful and almost playful thrash/death metal romp, reminding us all of the simple joys found in brutal murders, drug abuse, alcoholism and pure, solid, against the grain death metal. While it might be a little hard for the somewhat more weak-willed numetallers to swallow, metal veterans will thoroughly enjoy this disc as I, myself have. 

Crown – Possessed 13
Label: Metal Blade
Genre: Thrash/Death Metal
For Fans Of:  Entombed, Lamb Of God 
Rating: 
Best Track: Kill Em All / Natashead Overdrive
 
 

Tracks: 1.No Tomorrow  2.Face Of Destruction – Deep Hit Of Death  3.Deliverance  4.Cold Is The Grave  5.Dream Bloody Hell (Instr.)  6.Morningstar Rising  7.Are You Morbid?  8.Bow To None  9.Kill ‘Em All  10.Natashead Overdrive  11.Zombiefied!  12.Dawn Of Emptiness  13.In Memoriam (Instr.)

Listen to Samples and Purchase this CD online (w/ bonus DVD)

Listen to Samples and Purchase Crown's new CD online (w/ bonus DVD)

Visit the official website for more on the band and their new CD!