Search - Crown :: Possessed 13 (Dlx)

R.I.P. THE CROWN 1990-2004

Mud Bog | Cary, NC United States | 03/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On March 7th, Heavy Death Metal's The Crown, after reuniting with original vokillist Johan and releasing a badass 13th anniv. album, announced they were breaking up. Not because of any inner turmoil, (that left with Tompa), just that there was no money coming in (the reason Johan left after Deathrace). Poorly managed tours (which, along with merchandise, is where most musicians money comes from. NOT ALBUM SALES!) kept the band eternally paying bills, so the boys decided to try life outside The Crown. BEST OF LUCK, THANK YOU FOR KEEPING IT HELL!!
Okay, so they leave us with Possessed 13, 13 tracks (26 if you have the 2 disc like me) that kick serious ass, serving as a reminder of real heavy metal attitude. The production on this is heavy.
The songs allegedly are a mix of new ideas and reworked ideas from their demos (hence why the second disc has their 2 demos and rarities). Face of Destruction is probably the most standout track although I LOVE Kill Em All. The instru-metals rock too.
The second disc contains the first recorded song, Forever Heaven Gone and Forget the Light demos, an ASTOUNDING cover of a Bathory demo called Burning Leather and an alternate mix of Rebel Angel. I personally would like to have had the Slayer cover (Mandatory Suicide) and their version of Arise from a Sepultura tribute, both of which Ive never heard. The demos were later recrecorded and made up the bulk of The Crown's first cd The Burning. Not my favorite Crown material but cool to have as a Crown Completist or fan of early 90's swedish death metal.
REST IN PEACE OH CROWN OF THORNS!!!"

Impressive

A. Vera | 01/14/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Great musicianship on this one! Great production, tight riffing, and thunderous rhythms abound. Minus one star for some dumbed-down, goofy lyrics, but still recommended."