I have probably written it before but all those all-star projects that Frontiers are throwing out has gotten the best of me. Sure, some of them have been really good but in later years they all seem to sound the same. There are exceptions of course. When the all-star projects have been built by the actual members themselves and not the usual suspects of the label’s stable of song writers and producers things can become really interesting. Swedish Crowne is such a project. The band was more or less put together by Frontiers and brought drummer Christian Lundkvist (The Poodles), bassist John Levén (Europe), keyboardist Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.) and singer Alexander Strandell (Art Nation) together with guitarist Love Magnusson (Dynazty, Dampf) as a guest.
The guys released their debut album Kings In The North back in 2021 and since the album was a success if was hardly far-fetched to believe that a follow-up would arrive sooner or later. What set Crowne apart from many of the other projects was that they guys handled all song-writing themselves (read: Jona Tee and Alexander Strandell) and the same went with production duties which was handled by Tee. With names like that I expected a good album but was actually surprised just how good it was. The band sported a heavier take on Melodic Rock and AOR that was sometimes even metal-laden. This means that when the follow-up now comes out – this time with Magnusson as an actual member – my expectations are being set high. Production this time is again handled by Tee and song writing duties goes out to Tee and Strandell this time as well.
The album opens with the title-track which is also the album’s latest single. It opens with an embracing piano intro but directly continues in a mid-pace as a Melodic Rock tune with metal tendencies. It’s a ballsy and striking number with glueing melodies and sharp hooks everywhere. The solo part is splendid and takes the tune into neo-classical territories for a brief moment. The chorus is huge with poppy structures that brings a big chunk of memorability. Good stuff. The leading single “Champions” follows. It’s a heavy yet melodic piece that lands somewhere between H.E.A.T and Art Nation. The tempo here is faster on a ballsy rhythm which brings some Metal into the soundscape and the chorus is a monster. Magnusson’ solo is a beast as well. A great tune.
On a chugging riff, fast-tracked metal-belter “In The Name Of The Fallen” takes a stranglehold on you and starts a rough beating. It’s a punchy number with razor-sharp guitars with in-your-face rhythms and melodies. The keyboards takes a backseat and is there to fatten up the sound. It’s melodic still and I dig the refrain but at the same time I find it a strange choice for a single. It’s a good song though. “Super Trouper” – not an ABBA cover – brings on a darker atmosphere especially in the more held-back verses but takes on a whole new structure when the uptempo and fast-tracked chorus comes along, a chorus that brings both Metal and an 80’s poppy Melodic Rock vibe to the table. It’s catchy as damn too – this would’ve been a way better choice for a single. Great tune.
Magnusson’s day-job Dynazty comes to mind in the more modern, fast and direct metal-stomper “Ready To Run” but with a vocal-melody not a far cry from Tee’s day-job H.E.A.T. It’s a powerhouse hard-rocker that marries Metal and Melodic Rock and the contrasts give the tune a prominent dynamic. The melodies are all full of hooks and the striking chorus is nothing short of infectious. Very good. Uptempo and upbeat, “Juliette” is another tune with single-potential. The song comes with a mix of crunchy guitars, a heavy rhythm that flirts with Metal and clean keyboards, smooth melodies and slick pop-hooks that holds a chorus that has Dynazty, Art Nation and H.E.A.T put in a blender. Quite glossy at times, yes, but oh so good.
The metal-tinged “The Last Of Us” is an edgy and robust number with both symphonic undertones that borders on both AOR-ish Melodic Rock, Sunset Strip flirtatious Hard Rock and Power Metal. It’s a straight ahead number on a heavy foundation with glueing vocal melodies in both verse and refrain and a captivating riff. Said refrain is colossal and is etched to the brain from first listen. Killer stuff. “Just Believe” has everything but the kitchen sink thrown in. It’s an upbeat tune with equal parts Pop, Rock and Metal where the galloping rhythm again brings on a slight Power metal touch. The solo part takes Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore and Yngwie Malmsteen to the party and the big chorus has Celtic influences as well as Pop that brings on a slick Eurovision Song Contest twist. Heck, I dig this.
The high octane, fast tracked belter “Roar” kicks up dust for the most, quite intense but also slows the tempo down here and there and the contrasts works fine and brings up the dynamics. It’s a driving and direct melodic Metal piece with a highly memorable refrain. Good one. The Celtic influences returns in the uptempo rocker “Victorious” that spontaneously comes across as more metal-laden Eclipse. The smooth vocal-melodies and some of the dramatic musical arrangements brings along a slight musical-theatre touch as well. The chorus puts its hooks in you right from go too and feels like another number with big hit-potential. Very good.
The album’s closing track “Northern Lights” is on the threshold of balladry but not in a smooth, slick, power ballady way. It’s slower in pace, it’s dark and punchy – and enormously melodic at the same time. The guitar is quite edgy and it’s rhythmically heavy but also quite pompous and bombastic and a faint Celtic touch but here it’s not as pronounced as on the other two tunes. The musical soundscape here is broad and large with a massive chorus on top of it all that’s contagious but not in a radio-hit kind of way. It’s a monster of a song and a perfect closing track. Terrific.
Just like on the debut Crowne blends Melodic Rock and Metal with inserts of both classic Hard Rock and AOR. It’s pretty much a sister album to the debut albeit a bit heavier, darker and harder but still with prominent hooks and pop-flirting melodies so if the debut was to your liking this one will most likely be too. It’s not over-all as strong as the debut but it’s more or less by a nose. As for the musical performances there’s nothing here to complain about. All involved are top-notch musicians and singer Strandell feels more and more like a world-class singer. Hopefully Crowne will keep on releasing records and maybe even become a touring band.
7/10
More Crowne reviews:
Tracklist:
1. Operation Phoenix
2. Champions
3. In The Name Of The Fallen
4. Super Trooper
5. Ready To Run
6. Juliette
7. The Last Of Us
8. Just Believe
9. Roar
10. Victorious
11. Northern Lights
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