ALBUM REVIEW: The End Of All Things – Crown

Industrial’s one of those genres that can be open to anyone to listen to, either in a club or in a workout playlist. It gets the blood pumping and body moving, no matter what needs to be done that day. The main thing about these acts is that they’re easily identifiable, they can be distinguished from each other. French duo CROWN hope to become part of that group, especially with their latest album, The End Of All Things, making an album that elevates their previous sound and to add more. How does it stand amongst the rest in the genre?

Half and half is the best way to describe it. Especially when the first half of the album feels like they’re trying to be other industrial acts. Violence is like RAMMSTEIN, Illumination like DEPECHE MODE, and Gallow like COMBICHRIST, to name a few. Admittedly, the songs are very well done, but it’s hard to know who CROWN are as a duo because they’re trying to sound like other industrial acts. It’s not terrible, but not unique to the subgenre, which is disappointing.

The other half of the album is pretty good work, especially with tracks like Shades, Extinction, and Utopia, with the latter adding a guest vocalist, which is the only track that actually feels like an elevation of the sound. The other two mentioned are good tracks for the album, but the overall sound holds it back from distinguishing itself amongst its peers. 

Individual musical elements should also be mentioned. The synth work throughout the album is really well done, helping move the tracks along but also adding extra elements that are needed. The guitar work, when heard, is very well done as well, in the riffs played like in Neverland, to the layer of mandolin added in Gallow. The folk tone used in Fleuves is a great chord scheme to use for the song, and gives the track a mysterious and ethereal vibe, making it fierce but beautiful in its own way. 

Overall, this album is a mixed bag of sounds and songs where some work really well, whilst others feel like leftovers from other bands. The fact is it’s not even hidden within the album, as Nails is aptly named for sounding like a NINE INCH NAILS track. Credit where credit is due, they’re still good tracks, but it’s hard to know who CROWN are themselves instead of hiding behind other band’s sounds. It’s an odd experience to hear and sit through, and pretty inconsistent with its aim as a full project. A few of the songs are worth the time to listen to, but as stated, only a few. 

Rating: 7/10

The End Of All Things is out now via Pelagic Records.

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