Since ‘Til Death, Capture the Crown have switched labels and changed up their sound quite a bit (and for the better, I might add). It seems that Sumerian may have pushed for the band to favor death metal antics on their debut, but Artery has given them the freedom to find their comfort zone. Now, normally, finding a “comfort zone” in music can be like signing your death certificate. However, in this case, it definitely feels to be in the best interest of Capture the Crown. Reign of Terror may not be overly complicated or unique, but damn if it isn’t a highly enjoyable record from start to finish. Yes, I have had this album on repeat.... so damn sue me why don't you?
Crown has departed a bit from their debut album, but we expect that comes with changing labels. ‘Reign of Terror’ is Capture the Crown’s second full length album, and they’re first Artery Recordings. To put things into perspective, the band’s debut album ‘Til Death’ is certainly a heavier, more extreme, outing, but ‘Reign of Terror’ feels a lot more comfortable for the band, and this has done wonders for their sound overall. The new album may not be overly new, or unique, but by Christ is it entertaining. There are a large number of tracks that any fan of metal can really get their teeth into. We can tell that this entire album is going to become an album you will be addicted to listening over and over again.
Capture the Crown have not lost their heavy guttural vocals and fast paced head banging drum beats, but what they’ve added is melodic chorus’ that you’re going to be singing for months. What follows is more of the same, highly addictive and incredible metalcore tracks. ‘Smirk’, ‘To Whom It May Concern’ and ‘I Hate You’ follows the same formulae set out in ‘Red Light District’, great powerful guitar tones, an infectious drum beat and a mix of incredibly dominant growls and melodic chorus’ which make each track memorable and inherently different from each other. ‘Oxy Sunrise’ is probably the highlight of the metalcore side of the album, and has become one of the more impressive tracks on the album so far. Breakdowns always help create a metalcore track, and the electronic distortion just adds that little quirk that picks the track up above all others. three of the final tracks on the album take a bit of a turn to left field. ‘Beating the Blade’ is a personal favourite and sounds, to put it simply, like a heavier Linkin Park track. The culmination of the song comes when lead vocalist Jeffrey Wellfare raps, it’s not even poor rapping either, it actually shows some talent, creating great fast paced lyrics. There is always a soft spot as well for bands who subtly add the band’s name into the lyrics someway. ‘Make War, Not Love’ at some points sound a bit more pop-rock, with the inclusion of electronic tones, but that instantly gets smashed right into your face when Jeffrey returns with his powerful growls. ‘Janina’ finishes off the album with a bit of a cool down, and creates a lovely soothing acoustic track.
The final approach is upon us with the last two tracks. First of the two, "Make War, Not love" is the best growl and screaming song on the album strictly for 40 seconds of amazing growls and high screams with Alex Koehler, with of course another catchy chorus and some guitar chugging that I actually thoroughly enjoyed. The last song "Janina" is the weakest track lyrically on the album, but its a nice sounding calm song for Jeffrey to show off his voice acoustically, its not like "The Departed", so don't listen to this song expecting the hear a resemblance. None the less a nice ending to a very well put together album, that sadly is only 10 songs long, but the 10 songs will surely leave you with a better impression and grasp on the band for the better. Capture the Crown is capable of producing none generic music and you see that in this album. They're a very talented young band that will get a lot better as they mature. The young band has a long way to go, but this album packs a punch for people to enjoy.
Crown has departed a bit from their debut album, but we expect that comes with changing labels. ‘Reign of Terror’ is Capture the Crown’s second full length album, and they’re first Artery Recordings. To put things into perspective, the band’s debut album ‘Til Death’ is certainly a heavier, more extreme, outing, but ‘Reign of Terror’ feels a lot more comfortable for the band, and this has done wonders for their sound overall. The new album may not be overly new, or unique, but by Christ is it entertaining. There are a large number of tracks that any fan of metal can really get their teeth into. We can tell that this entire album is going to become an album you will be addicted to listening over and over again.
Capture the Crown have not lost their heavy guttural vocals and fast paced head banging drum beats, but what they’ve added is melodic chorus’ that you’re going to be singing for months. What follows is more of the same, highly addictive and incredible metalcore tracks. ‘Smirk’, ‘To Whom It May Concern’ and ‘I Hate You’ follows the same formulae set out in ‘Red Light District’, great powerful guitar tones, an infectious drum beat and a mix of incredibly dominant growls and melodic chorus’ which make each track memorable and inherently different from each other. ‘Oxy Sunrise’ is probably the highlight of the metalcore side of the album, and has become one of the more impressive tracks on the album so far. Breakdowns always help create a metalcore track, and the electronic distortion just adds that little quirk that picks the track up above all others. three of the final tracks on the album take a bit of a turn to left field. ‘Beating the Blade’ is a personal favourite and sounds, to put it simply, like a heavier Linkin Park track. The culmination of the song comes when lead vocalist Jeffrey Wellfare raps, it’s not even poor rapping either, it actually shows some talent, creating great fast paced lyrics. There is always a soft spot as well for bands who subtly add the band’s name into the lyrics someway. ‘Make War, Not Love’ at some points sound a bit more pop-rock, with the inclusion of electronic tones, but that instantly gets smashed right into your face when Jeffrey returns with his powerful growls. ‘Janina’ finishes off the album with a bit of a cool down, and creates a lovely soothing acoustic track.
The final approach is upon us with the last two tracks. First of the two, "Make War, Not love" is the best growl and screaming song on the album strictly for 40 seconds of amazing growls and high screams with Alex Koehler, with of course another catchy chorus and some guitar chugging that I actually thoroughly enjoyed. The last song "Janina" is the weakest track lyrically on the album, but its a nice sounding calm song for Jeffrey to show off his voice acoustically, its not like "The Departed", so don't listen to this song expecting the hear a resemblance. None the less a nice ending to a very well put together album, that sadly is only 10 songs long, but the 10 songs will surely leave you with a better impression and grasp on the band for the better. Capture the Crown is capable of producing none generic music and you see that in this album. They're a very talented young band that will get a lot better as they mature. The young band has a long way to go, but this album packs a punch for people to enjoy.