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Having released some of the most badass death/thrash you'll ever hear in the first half of their career, The Crown need no introduction. Crown of Thorns, presumably named after their original band name, sees Marus Sunnesson contribute for the first time since Doomsday King in a line-up that now features three of their original members.

This record is heavier on the melody than its predecessors. While they always efficiently wove some Gothenburg elements into their sound on their early outings, it was the maniacal energy, relentless speed and fierce riffing that was front and center on earlier releases like Deathrace King. As such, I find Crown of Thorns to be a little more accessible, but that does not mean that this is in any way soft. "I Hunt With the Devil" and "Churchburner" come out in familiar fashion, all guns blazing and with just the kind of intensity and power you'd expect from this band. They are joined by "The Agitator" as the more ferocious cuts on the album. On the other hand, you have songs like "Martyrian" and "God-King" that are heavier on the hooks, and a couple of songs that are easily sung along to ("Howling at the Warfield," "Where Nightmares Belong").

This variability makes for a pretty interesting listen, and "I Hunt With the Devil," "God-King" and "Howling at the Warfield" are standouts, providing a nice mix of everything The Crown do so well. However, I do find myself wishing for more energy from time to time, and there are a couple of skippable songs here, including "Gone to Hell" and "The Night is Now." Another quibble is that there are three bonus tracks here that are not available to standard vinyl or US CD owners. The songs in question could easily replace a couple of the downers on the standard edition, and "Eternally Infernal" (eternal fucking death!!) and "Mind Collapse" in particular are songs you don't want to miss.

Complaints aside, if you're a fan of The Crown, there is much to like here.