Svart Crown (FRA) –
Abreaction 03.03.2017
I confess honestly have not been many French band were in my way even there are a lot so writing a review about a French record is always a specialty. Century Media Records sent me the surprise that is the fourth full length of Svart Crown.
Svart Crown was created by JB Le Bail in 2004 even the name was born in mind of Clément Flandrois years before creation. This is an interesting name if Svart means black in Norwegian, while crown is in English...unique.
Above mentioned Clément was a member from 2008 to 2015 so he isn't a member of S. C. Anymore and all other members left the band except JB and the second bassist Ludovic Veyssiére who joined in 2006. The following members of the quartet are well-known in the French scene as they are from the Death/Thrash legend Agressor as Kevin Verlay guitarist and drum-master Kévin Paradis. So it is no exaggeration to say that Svart Crown consist of qualified members.
First release was a demo, called “Bloody Crown” 2 years later that re-released in different cover. JB chosen a unique way for the unique name...and a long rugged way...because now,13 years after the creation, ”Abreaction”' is just their fourth full length.
Continuing in their work, their first full length, called “Ages Of Decay” was released via little french label Rupture Music in 2008 then 2 years later they signed to Listenable Records where two album was released:”Witnessing The Fall” in 2010 (that was re-released in 2012 as 12” vinyl at the same label) and “Profane” in 2013 (that re-released in the same years on 12” vinyl at the same label). Listenable Records is not unknown for me, even it is focusing mainly on Death /Thrash and Modern(what a stupid utterance) Metal.
Rugged way so maybe the result of a (or more) bad choice, but hopefully now, when they signed to Century Media Records, Svart Crown may start to rule the world.
Svart Crown is one of the bands that releases really full length albums, but this new one “Abreaction” will be over fifty minutes long. Eleven song, eleven abnormal and perverse nightmare from mind of main man, vocalist
/guitarist JB.
The main theme of the album (I think) the voodoo ceremonies, so skulls on the front cover that drew by Stefan Thanneur again is not a surprise.
First song is 'Golden Sacrament' that start with a slow, doom song with whispers, then become a headbanging and emotional piece, but ending too short. Next 'Carcosa' is a fast, technical madness with some slower, standing themes. 3rd 'The Past – To The Devil His Due' is a slower storming song with some Morbid Angel influence from “Domination” era. A bit like a film music for some thriller movie. Also this is the longest song with it's 7’21” long. 'Upon This Intimate Madness” is a technical, extreme song, with slower, long-drawn themes and screams.
Fifth 'Khimba Rites' for that song a lyric video has made by Century Media Records is a slower song influenced a bit by Behemoth.'Tentacion' is the outsider song as this is instrumental. 7th 'Orgasmic Spiritual Ecstasy’ is a medley as contains faster, mid-tempo and slower themes. Next 'Transsubstantiation' is again a Morbid Angel influenced song. Ninth 'Emphatic Illusion' is one of the most simple and morbid song that JB wrote for this album. Next 'Lwas' is an instrumental song again, while the last 'Nganda' is the first song that includes more solo.
“Abreaction” is a well-written album, and even it's not contains two quint themes, more a technical and varied chords, it is absolute enjoyable. I think, that this more than 54 minutes long album will get a worthy reputation to Svart Crown. Fans of extreme metal get in touch with Century Media to purchase the album on CD Digipak, Gatefold LP + CD, or Digital Album.
