The Crown - Hell Is Here
1999 Metal Blade

Track Listing:
1. The Poison
2. At The End
3. 1999 - Revolution 666 
4. Dying Of The Heart 
5. Electric Night 
6. Black Lightning 
7. The Devil And The Darkness
8. Give You Hell 
9. Body And Soul 
10. Mysterion 
11. Death By My Side

Line-Up:
Vocals:  Johan Lindstrand
Guitars:  Marko Tervonen, Marcus Sunesson
Bass:  Magnus Olsfelt
Drums:  Janne Saarenpãã

Website:  www.thecrownonline.com

Shev's Rating:  A-
Average Rating:  A-

Shev's Review:
Before The Crown released one of my all-time favorite albums, "Deathrace King", they released "Hell Is Here" under their new name "The Crown".  From my understanding, there were some problems with another band sharing their same previous name of "Crown Of Thorns", but contrasted with different view points.  So to avoid a lawsuit, or just the hassle altogether, "Crown Of Thorns" became "The Crown" and a death & roll legacy was born.

While not as beautifully polished as it's successor, we are treated to some nicely crafted death mixed with thrash and rock 'n' roll complete with Johan Lindstrand's trademark raspy vocals leading the way for a pummeling attack of strings and drums.  Ass-shaking goodness in death metal form, lightning quick solo's from the tight duo of Tervonen and Sunesson, utterly pulverizing non-mechanical drums...this is a formula that works!

So while my favorite of The Crown's musical legacy had a couple of duds, Hell Is Here contains absolutely none.  Every single note, beat, and Satanic wail belong here with it's strong points consisting of "The Poison", "1999 - Revolution 666", and "Black Lightning".  So even though this isn't the best The Crown had to offer in their long career, this does come in at a close second.  If it's blazing, technical death & roll you want, you simply can't go wrong with this.
Shev's Rating:  A-

Also be sure to read:
The Crown - Deathrace King by Shev