“No matter how many points you score, you are going to lose that ball in the end,” says Magnus Olsfeld, bassist for Swedish death-thrashers The Crown. He’s talking, of course, about the pinball motif that adorns the album cover of the band’s eighth studio album, Death Is Not Dead. “We had this idea of a death metal action pinball from hell. I’m not a game freak, but I like the vibe of it. Also it works well with the album title. A real Crown pinball machine would be a treat!”

The 11 songs that comprise Death Is Not Dead are a real treat for fans of The Crown; especially given the fact that it’s the first full-length to feature original vocalist Johan Lindstrand since 2003’s Possessed 13. “We wanted to have Johan onboard when we restarted in 2009,” explains Magnus. “But he was busy with his other band (One Man Army And The Undead Quartet) at the time so we recruited Jonas (Stalhammar, who sang on 2010's Doomsday King) who also is a great screamer. When Johan changed his mind, Jonas had to go even though he is a good vocalist. Johan is the original voice of The Crown and you can't really replace that no matter how good you are.”

Death Is Not Dead is also the first album from The Crown without lead guitarist Marcus Sunesson, who's been replaced by Robin Sorquist of Impious. “Marcus’ priorities changed and there was some trouble with him cancelling shows at short notice. It was actually Marcus who suggested that we should bring in Robin to fill in for him, and it turned out great! The solos Robin plays on the album are brilliant, and he also brings another level of power and good mood to the band that wasn't really there the last years with Marcus.”

As if that wasn’t enough of a lineup shuffle, longtime drummer and founding member Janne Saarenpaa is no longer with The Crown, causing rhythm guitarist Marko Tervonen to play drums on the new album. “Janne’s departure was quite a shock,” admits Magnus. “And we didn't know how to go on. It was Janne who suggested that Marko should do the drums on the album since he has a style of drumming and that is in the style of The Crown, rather than bring in someone new. We didn't know if it would work, but Marko gave it a go and practiced the drums for half a year before recording and it turned out great. Maybe less technical than Janne, but it works really well to the music. Marko has actually played the drums a long time, but nothing this challenging.” For live shows, The Crown has enlisted Henrik Axelsson to sit behind the kit. “He is a machine! He also plays the cover songs on the album.”

 

 

The Crown covered three songs during the Death Is Not Dead sessions. Their version of "Eternal" by Paradise Lost is terrific, and features prominently on the album sitting at track number four. “We thought it sounded so good that we had to include it on the album, even though we originally intended it to be a bonus track. The early Paradise Lost were a great influence back in the days, and we used to play a cover live back in the early ‘90s. I think it was Marko and Johan who got the idea out drinking beer. I think it really fits the album adding some heavy, sorrow-filled atmosphere.”

"Agent Orange" by Sodom also received a makeover courtesy of The Crown, but that is relegated to bonus track status. “We used to play that song way back before we made records, so we thought it would  be cool to record it now all these years later. It is a great song of course, but I don't think it would be that fitting to have it included on the proper album. I personally think that Obsessed By Cruelty is one of the best and most strange, brutal albums ever recorded; such a special feeling on that one… deathlike silence!”

Rounding out the trio is "Unfit Earth" by Napalm Death, but that was limited to the 7-inch "Headhunter" single, for which only 1000 copies were pressed, making it an instant collector’s item. “We chose it because we love that era of Napalm. The Live Corruption video is the best death metal live video ever! Originally we were going to have all our old vocalists, Jonas and Tomas, guesting on that one like Glen Benton (Deicide) and John Tardy (Obituary) on the original. Both Jonas and Tomas were into the idea, but time and place was not on our side so Johan had to do the guest vocals himself.”

 

 

Returning to the title, Death Is Not Dead, Magnus confesses, “I came up with it. It can mean stuff on different levels. Firstly, that we play death metal and are still around after 25 years. Secondly, that death metal still is a relevant music style in our hands. Thirdly, that death is still out there awaiting us all. And lastly that death is not the end...”

Bringing Death Is Not Dead to life was no easy task. “It took two to three years to write, then it was a bit delayed and the recordings were prolonged due to the drumming situation. It was recorded in studio N3 the same house that we rehearse, and Marko produced it.” Meticulous attention was paid to every detail as although “it is all new to you, for us we have played around with these riffs and ideas for five years so we can guarantee that they will stand the test of time.”

And if you’re wondering what track three, "Iblis Bane" is all about? “It’s a concept best summarized in the final line of the lyrics: ‘Satan shatter Satan’. Also it's about the primordial, divine and Adamic aspect of Man. ‘Give me my Crown - Give me my Sword - I have immortal birthrights!’”

Promotional activities for Death Is Not Dead included The Crown filming a video for "Headhunter", which has quite the ending! The song also contains one of the album’s best lines: ‘What if a madman walked you down the aisle?’ And, if you look closely at Magnus in that video, you’ll notice he is playing a Lemmy Kilmister Rickenbacker bass, emblazoned with the phrase Born To Lose – Out To Lunch. “The video maker came up with the idea and I think it turned out great. Revenge from the grave! Johan wrote the lyrics and I agree that line is genius. It has to to with having the madness and terror so close to you and you cannot escape. And yeah that's right a Lemmy Rickenbastard! Looks that kill! Motörhead is one of the most powerful live acts I've witnessed; like a sandstorm of rock ‘n roll. It would be a crime not to be a fan!”

Where touring is concerned, The Crown currently only has four shows booked: one in March in Sweden, two in April in Japan, and one in June in France. Unfortunately the chances of the band playing North America are slim. “We are not that big that we can do long tours and make it pay off, also we have families and children and civil lives that makes it almost impossible to do full time touring. So we do a handful of select shows and keep this train rolling instead of burning out on the road again.”

 

 

(Band photos by Patrik Skoglow)