What makes Crowned Unholy by The Crown notable?

Crowned Unholy was significant for its critical reception, receiving praise from metal publications such as Metal Hammer and Terrorizer, which highlighted its intensity and musicianship. It also helped to re-establish The Crown as a prominent name in the genre during the early 2000s. Released in 2004, Crowned Unholy marked The Crown's return after a four-year hiatus, following their previous album, Possessed 13. This album showcased their evolution in sound while retaining their aggressive style, solidifying their position in the death metal scene.

Who is Crowned Unholy for?

Crowned Unholy works well if you're into ferocious energy for workout, headbanging anthems for release and relentless intensity throughout listening.

How many songs are on Crowned Unholy?

Crowned Unholy has 25 tracks, running approximately 110 minutes.

Crowned Unholy

The Crown · 2004

110 min · 25 tracks · death metal

A ferocious blend of death and thrash metal that bludgeons the listener with relentless riffs and guttural vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Crowned in Terror — This title track encapsulates the album's brutal energy, featuring intricate guitar work and a relentless pace that showcases the band's technical prowess.
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(I Am) Hell — (I Am) Hell stands out for its dark themes and powerful chorus, representing the album's overarching tone of chaos and defiance.
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Death Is the Hunter — With its dynamic shifts between crushing riffs and melodic interludes, this track exemplifies The Crown's ability to blend aggression with nuance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

Crowned Unholy showcases intense musicianship and aggressive songwriting, though its lengthy tracklist affects cohesion.

What we noticed

The album opens with an atmospheric intro before launching into a series of fast-paced tracks that rarely drop below a blistering tempo.
Guttural vocals are layered over aggressive guitar riffs, with frequent use of harmonized leads that enhance the intensity.
Several tracks incorporate breakdowns that shift dynamics, allowing for brief moments of respite amidst the relentless aggression.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

ferocious energy for workout
headbanging anthems for release
relentless intensity throughout listening
dark themes for cathartic experience
extended tracks for deep immersion

Maybe skip if you

prefer melodic and soft sounds
seek quick, catchy tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2004, Crowned Unholy marked The Crown's return after a four-year hiatus, following their previous album, Possessed 13. This album showcased their evolution in sound while retaining their aggressive style, solidifying their position in the death metal scene.
Stylistic neighbors: At the Gates· Dark Tranquillity· Soilwork