Artist: Crowned In Earth
Title: Visions Of The Haunted
Type: Album
Label: Shadow Kingdom Records

Crowned In Earth introduced themselves with the self released two track EP Welcome To The Brotherhood Of The Crown and the signs were certainly good – good enough for Shadow Kingdom to spot the enormous potential and give them a deal for this, their debut album. However, even as a long standing admirer of Kevin Lawry (vocals/guitar/bass/organ) and a fan of drummer Darin McCloskey’s work with Pale Divine and Sinister Realm, I honestly didn’t expect Visions Of The Haunted to be quite this good. An exquisite production job courtesy of Brian J Anthony gives the extraordinarily fine songs the optimum opportunity to shine – and shine they do, from the rich chords of opener ‘The Sun Never Stays’ through the captivating ‘The Voice That Controls’, the driving ‘Downward Spiral’ and emotionally demanding ‘Miles I Walk’ to the hope offered by closer ‘Awaken’. Kevin Lawry’s vocal performance is the most accomplished he’s ever laid down and his song writing has gained a new depth and maturity while Darin McCloskey’s drumming is as perfectly understated as ever; never cluttering the sound with fripperies, just adding to the emotive atmosphere with a stern, sombre thunder. I’ll be surprised if there’s another doom album released this year that can touch Visions Of The Haunted. If you’re a fan of traditional doom then put Crowned In Earth at the top of your shopping list and find out what all the fuss is about as soon as possible – you won’t be disappointed.

www.myspace.com/crownedmetal