The Burning
The Crown · 1995
45 min · 11 tracks · death metal
A relentless fusion of death and thrash metal, driven by intricate riffs and fierce lyrical themes of despair and existential dread.
Top tracks — play these first
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Godless — This track exemplifies the album's thematic depth with its exploration of nihilism, paired with technical instrumentation that showcases the band's signature sound.
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Of Good and Evil — Opening with a powerful riff, this track sets the tone for the entire album, reflecting the dualities present in the lyrics through its dynamic shifts.
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I Crawl — The haunting melodies intertwined with aggressive rhythms highlight the emotional weight of the lyrics, making it one of the standout moments on the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The Burning showcases complex compositions and intense energy, solidifying The Crown's place in death metal.
What we noticed
- The album features rapid tempo shifts, with tracks alternating between blast beats and slower, more melodic sections.
- Several songs incorporate intricate guitar harmonies that create a dense wall of sound, particularly in the choruses.
- The lyrical themes are consistently dark and existential, with each track exploring different facets of despair.
- The final track ends abruptly, leaving a sense of unresolved tension that echoes the album's overall themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- intense bursts of aggression
- cathartic release of tension
- dark themes of existential dread
- relentless pacing with urgency
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lighthearted listening experiences
- seek melodic and soothing sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1995, The Burning was The Crown's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed second album, Eternal Death. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their sound and gaining recognition within the Swedish metal scene, marking their transition towards a more aggressive style that would define their later work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- At the Gates· Dark Tranquillity· Soilwork
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Of Good and Evil 3:27
- 2 Soulicide Demon-might 2:41
- 3 Godless 4:00
- 4 The Lord of the Rings 3:15
- 5 I Crawl 5:16
- 6 Forever Heaven Gone 3:29
- 7 Earthborn 3:45
- 8 Neverending Dream 4:00
- 9 Night of the Swords 2:03
- 10 Candles 6:34
- 11 Forget the Light 6:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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