Artist: The Crown
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: 5/23/00
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Title: Deathrace King Artist: The Crown Label: Metal Blade Release Date: 5/23/00 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
The Crown (formerly Crown of Thorns) return with the follow up to their Metal Blade premier known as Hell is Here. In case you were worried these guys haven't found God yet ("I'll come back for more, when Satan needs soldiers for the war"), they are just as Satanic as ever, but with a pretty big change in direction on their last album I really didn't know what to expect from these Swedes.
"In case you were worried these guys haven't found God yet, they are just as Satanic as ever." If you were like me, you liked Hell is Here, but still longed for the music they had perfected on the brutal releases The Burning and Eternal Death. Both of those albums mixed melody with uncompromising death beautifully, and made the Gothenburg sound seem almost poppy. I was a little disappointed with the death and roll approach they last took, even though I really liked the album. Unfortunately I would have liked the album I was anticipating much more. Just goes to show ya it's hard to live up to expectations, and this time I had none, so I was very excited to see that they've mixed the more rockish feel of the last album with the energy and power of the previous two. It maintains an air of extreme listenability and at the same time puts the death back in death and roll.
The Crown do a very good job of mixing the punishing blastbeats of their chaotic death with catchy riffs. One thing is for sure, this time around no one can complain that it's not heavy enough. The melody is a little less prevalent, as the music takes a thrashier route. Combine this with the frequent solos and occasional fuzz guitar, and you might get the impression that this album isn't comparable with The Burning and Eternal Death, but even with these differences, this band is still unmistakably a Swedish death band. Really fun to listen to.
"Even with these differences, this band is still unmistakably a Swedish death band. Really fun to listen to."
Death's Review:
Death, thrash, speed, guitar solos -- The Crown has got them all. There's something for everybody on their new album, Deathrace King. If you like modern heavy metal which hasn't fogotten its eighties roots, you should enjoy this excellent new release.
In fact, I've heard some refer to Deathrace King as an early contender for year-end 2000 top ten lists. I've even heard it referred to as album of the year. Clearly, such adolation is deserved, and probably not dramaticaly far off the mark. By blending the vast majority of modern metal stylings (excluding power, prog, and doom, of course), The Crown has stepped away from the death 'n roll of Hell is Here and present a more balanced attack that few in the metal community will find cause to take issue with.
"I've heard it referred to as album of the year. Clearly, such adolation is deserved." Nevertheless, I have some reservations with this release. As awesome as the riffs are, and as particularly inspired as the solos are, the total speed of the single note whirlwind speed picking, ascending along a slow-moving melodic line like so many modern black and grind acts who employ the same stylings, is absolutely lost on these ears. Why acts always feel the need to abandon quality riffing for these mindless bouts of "faster than thou" I'll never know.
The songwriting is good, but not really catchy enough to stick with me. The vocals are adequate, not great. But when the guitars, bass and drums lock in, we have one hell of a well-produced metallic attack. I think most readers out there who are willing to venture into the world of death, thrash or black will appreciate having Deathrace King in their collection. That, in and of itself, is a tremendous accomplishment which should not go ignored.
"Why acts always feel the need to abandon quality riffing for these mindless bouts of "faster than thou" I'll never know."
Hel's Review:
The Crown is predominately death metal. I don’t think that’s a controversial statement. Deathrace King should be able to satiate the metalheads who crave speed this week. While not necessarily as lightening-fast as some bands we’ve reviewed recently, you will have fun trying to decide: a) whether that is a true statement and, b) what, then, is the fastest death metal band out there. It would be reasonable to start with labelmates Vader, which we reviewed just last week. If anyone undertakes this experiment, definitely post your results for the curious - I wish I had the time to try.
Sonic records aside, this is a straightforward release which meets the criteria of "a record I will listen to after I’m done reviewing it". Believe me, this is not an honor given lightly. But by sheer number of standout tracks alone, The Crown is in. Are you wondering if the only word you can make out is "Satan?" The answer is no, you can also clearly understand "executioner" and "devil" as well.
"The Crown is predominately death metal. I don't think that's a controversial statement."
"Executioner: Slayer of the Light" is a great all-around song that’s good to check out if you want one song to clinch it for you. In it, you will find the aforementioned understandable word, as well as great guitar solos, drum fills, and backing vocals.
"My favorite song may be "Total Satan." I mean, really, how do you not love a song with a title like that?" My favorite song may be "Total Satan." I mean, really, how do you not love a song with a title like that? Plus, you’ve got an awesome scream kicking it off and "total Satan" repeated at least five times and a cool little guitar solo, all within the first minute of the song.
All of the tracks are standout, I realize this more the longer I listen to this. When I sat down to write this review, I was on the fence. I thought this was pretty solid, but not necessarily totally outstanding. As I tried to decide what to say about the album, I listened to it some more. I realized, I love death metal, and this is a great death metal album. And I wondered, what more could I want? Not a damn thing I can think of.
"What more could I want? Not a damn thing I can think of."
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